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applies to immunisation, either against diphtheria
alone or against diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus
combined. The fact that 96.4% of infants under
the age of two years are protected against diphtheria,
either alone or by the use of the triple antigen,
is extremely pleasing. Indeed, so far as I am
aware, this immunisation rate is perhaps the highest
in these islands.
3. Measles notifications rose from 18 in 1960 to
453 in 1961. This was to be anticipated, as 1961
was, as I have already remarked, a "measles year".
As in the case of scirlet fever, severity was extremely
low.
4. Pertussis notifications fell from 31 in 1960
to 5 in 1961. There is no valid, concrete evidence
that immunisation against pertussis, a policy which
is actively pursued in the District, is having an
appreciable effect on the incidence of pertussis.
Although approximately 93% of children under the age
of two have been protected against pertussis by
immunisation - and surely this must be having an effect
a few infants still remain unprotected, in spite of
the stringent efforts which are made, especially by
our Health Visitors, to persuade parents to accept
immunisation.
5. The incidence of food poisoning; and dysentery
fell from a combined total of 40 in 1960 to a total
of 5 during 1961. The measures which we have taken,
particularly the control of dysentery and food poisoning
among school children, remains as before, and
appear satisfactory. Although only 5 cases were
notified during the year, it must be remembered that
dysentery, particularly Sonnei dysentery and food
poisoning, are now epidemic in this country, a fact
which we must regretfully accept. It must also
be remembered that these cases have little more than
nuisance value, the disease being quickly recovered
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