View report page

The new schedule was introduced with effect from 1st November, 1968
so that it will not affect the statistics of vaccination and immunisation to
any appreciable degree this year.
VACCINATION AGAINST MEASLES
Measles is a very common virus infection, affecting practically everyone
during the first 10 years of childhood. The complications of measles are also
quite a significant cause of ill-health in children. Ear infections occur
in 25 per 1,000 and severe infections of the respiratory tract in 38 per
1,000 cases. Neurological complications (convulsions, encephalitis) occur
in 4 per 1,000. Measles encephalitis may cause severe permanent mental and/or
physical handicap.
In April 1968 it was decided, that a safe and effective measles vaccine
should be used to protect children against this virus disease. Vaccination
was initially offered to children susceptible to measles who were between
the ages of 4 to 7 years and gradually extended to all children aged 15 years
and under. Posters were displayed at strategic locations. A letter was
sent to the parents of every child known to the Health Department. In addition
a health education exhibit at the Dagenham Town Show was devoted to the topic
of measles vaccination.
By the end of the year 4,021 children had been protected against
measles. The results of the campaign has been dramatic. The expected
epidemic of measles in the Autumn and Winter did not occur. The number of
cases of measles notified to the Health Department for the year 1968 wa6
175, a very substantial decrease indeed.