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1853, nine-tenths of smallpox victims were children under 5 years
of age. Subsequent to this period, children, by and large, escaped.
However, since 1898, when the "conscientious objection" clause
made its appearance, vaccinations have declined steeply and the
position deteriorated still further from 1948 when vaccination
became optional.
Glycerinated calf lymph is the standard vaccine used in this
country and the number of primary vaccinations carried out in the
Borough during 1968 was 2,431, 2,039 under Council arrangements
and 392 by general practitioners, the total indicating a rise of 81
over the previous year. Figures for re-vaccination were 59 and
117 respectively.
Measles
The normal biennial fluctuation was evident in the number of
cases notified during the year which fell from a total of 2,345 in
1967 to 312, the figure for the current year.
Only 8 cases, 2 of whom were non-resident, were removed to
hospital. There were no deaths recorded.
The evolution of a safe, effective measles vaccine and its acceptance
universally for treatment of vulnerable groups promises results
similar to those obtained with regard to smallpox and diphtheria
which have virtually eliminated them from the community.
Our measles vaccination scheme commenced in May of the
current year and, although this is a measles "low" year, the total
number of notified cases, viz. 312, is exceptionally small which may
indicate that our scheme is already producing beneficial results.
During the year, a total of 4,054 children were vaccinated
against measles, 3,264 in accordance with Council arrangements
and 790 by local general practitioners.
Scarlet Fever
There were 108 notified cases in 1968, two of which were not
confirmed. The total of 106 shows an increase of 31 over that of
the previous year.
Two cases were admitted to hospital but there were no deaths.
Whooping Cough
The 120 notified cases registered in 1968 show a decrease of 43
from those of the previous year.
Eight cases were removed to hospital and no fatality was
recorded.
With regard to prophylaxis, two children received a combined
antigen (whooping cough and diphtheria) and a further 3,174
received a triple antigen (whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus)
giving a final total of 3,176 whooping cough immunisations carried