Three new cases of measles, in the cities of São Paulo and Guarulhos, were confirmed by the São Paulo State Department of Health (SES-SP) this Friday (26). THE folder recommended the application of the zero dose of the triple viral vaccine for children aged 6 months to 11 months and 29 days in both cities.
According to the “Prof. Alexandre Vranjac” Epidemiological Surveillance Center (CVE-SP), which is part of SES-SP, the three new cases, two boys and one girl, were registered in children between 6 months and 1 year old, and two of them had no history of vaccination. All evolved towards a cure and the incidents are being investigated together with the Ministry of Health (MS).
To date, the State of São Paulo has five cases of measles in 2026. The first two were imported: a 6-month-old baby, registered in March, and a 42-year-old man, in April. Both had no history of vaccination and were cured, the ministry said.
A SES-SP reinforces the “guidance for the population to seek the health unit nearest to check the vaccination status and update the immunization”.
Dose zero
A zero dose is an additional protection strategy and does not replace the others planned in the National Vaccination Calendar, explains SES-SP. Even if the child receives the zero dose between 6 months and 11 months and 29 days, they must take the first dose of the triple viral vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella) at 12 months and the second dose, preferably with the tetra viral vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox), at 15 months.
Furthermore, the folder informs that the zero dose can also be indicated in vaccine blockade actions – rapid and selective vaccination to contain measles transmission – for children in this age group who live with or have had contact with suspected or confirmed cases of the disease.
To be considered vaccinated, people aged 5 to 29 must prove two doses of the triple viralwith a minimum interval of 30 days between them, explains SES-SP, while for those between 30 and 59 years old, one dose is considered sufficient.
On the global stage, the Measles cases are on the rise. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Americas region recorded 14,891 confirmed cases of the disease in 2025, including 29 deaths, a 32-fold increase compared to the 466 cases reported in 2024. Countries with the most records were Mexico (6,428), Canada (5,436) and the United States (2,242).
“The risk of reintroduction of measles in Brazil, associated with the occurrence of cases in the Americas and the international flow of travelers, reinforces the need to keep vaccinations up to date. The State has made additional doses available for the two municipalities that will carry out intensification actions”, said the director of CVE-SP, Tatiana Lang.
In the State of São Paulo, SES-SP stated that it continuously monitors the measles epidemiological scenario and reinforces that vaccination is the main form of prevention against the disease. Currently, measles vaccination coverage in the State is 85.32% for the first dose and 72.06% for the second dose.
O CVE-SP has already adopted measures in response to the increase in suspected casessuch as lockdown vaccination, active house-to-house search and intensification of immunization in high-traffic areas, such as airports, bus terminals and metro and train stations.
