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91
WHOOPING COUGH
28 cases of whooping cough were notified compared with 20 cases in
1965, 61 in 1964 and 105 in 1963. In 1962 only 18 cases were notified. This
fluctuation is partly explained by the periodic variation in the virus's
infectivity. Nationally, notifications showed a decline from 1950-1961 and
this was attributed to the widespread use of effective vaccines. Nevertheless
since 1961 despite continued vaccination, the national incidence of cases
notified has increased. However, few diagnoses are confirmed by laboratory
investigation and, as other infective agents give rise to conditions which
cause similar symptoms, the notifications themselves are, therefore,
suspect. As mentioned previously in the Report, the Department is
collaborating with the Public Health Laboratory Service in a research
project associated with whooping cough vaccine.
MEASLES
716 cases of measles were notified in 1966 compared with 2,469 in
1965. In 1964 and 1965 the Borough assisted the Medical Research Council
in their evaluation of the measles vaccines. This was carried out at the
Minister of Health's request and the results of the survey were considered
by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization of the Central
and Scottish Health Service.
The Joint Committee accepted that the vaccination schedules used
in the trials were effective and acceptable procedures, but regarded it as
premature to embark on any programme of general measles vaccination.
However, they agreed that the vaccines should be available to doctors
wno wished to use them for any of their patients.
Having regard to the Joint Committee's views, the Minister of Health
suggested that local authorities generally, should not, at this time seek to
make arrangements under Section 26 of the National Health Service Act,
1946, to offer measles vaccination.
This report was considered by the Health Committee in February 1966
and as a result agreed to abide by the Minister's suggestion.
SMALLPOX
The ease and speed of foreign travel has meant that an increasing
number of travellers from abroad have been exposed to the risk of
infection with the smallpox virus. As a result there has been and will be a
small number of cases of smallpox occurring in this country. Immediately
each case is diagnosed the patient is carefully questioned and all those who
have been in contact during the infectious state are kept under surveillance
and offered vaccination.
This constant vigilance remains the backbone of the defence against
smallpox and prevents this serious and highly infectious disease from
becoming endemic in this country.