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comparative immunity of the country has hitherto been due mainly
to its high vaccination state. With the fall in the number of vaccinations
this fortunate state of affairs cannot be expected to
continue. Recognising this danger, the Minister of Health has
strengthened the powers of the Port and Airport Health Authorities
with the introduction of new Regulations operative from 1st
August, 1963.
International Certificates (Ministry of Health Circular
20/52).—The question of authentication of International Certificates
of vaccination has now been settled by the adoption of the International
Sanitary Regulations (W.H.O. Regulations No. 2) which
replaced the International Sanitary Conventions on 1st October,
1952. The Regulations prescribe inter alia, new forms of International
Certificates of vaccination against Cholera and Smallpox
and, to be valid, the certificate must bear an approved stamp
which certifies that the signature of the Vaccinator is that of a
practising medical practitioner.
During the year some 359 certificates of persons proceeding
abroad were so authenticated, of these 283 were in respect of
Smallpox, 58 Cholera, 16 for Typhoid and 2 for Yellow Fever.
Measles.—The normal biennial fluctuation was evident in
the number of cases notified during the year which rose from a
total of 57 in 1962 to 925, the figure for the current year. Of
the 925 cases, 439 were males and 486 females and only five were
over the age of 15 years.
No cases were removed to hospital and there were no deaths
recorded.
The distribution of the cases was as follows:—East Greenwich
321; West Greenwich 212; St. Nicholas, Deptford, 20; Charlton
and Kidbrooke 372.
During 1961 there were 1,820 cases, in 1960 there were 47, in
1959 there were 637, in 1958 there were 306 and during 1957,
1.194 cases were recorded.
Much research has been carried out in recent years with regard
to the control of measles. New vaccines, free of the undesirable
reactions noticeable in the earlier types, have been developed and
it is anticipated that limited schemes for vaccination against
measles will be introduced by County Councils sometime during
1964.
Whooping Cough.—Altogether 35 notifications were received
in 1963, an increase of 22 over those of the previous year. The
years 1961, 1960, 1959 and 1958 produced 26, 168. 34 and 55
respectively whilst there were 97 registered for 1957.