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42
Immunisation Against Whooping Cough.
Immunisation against Whooping Cough was suspended in
October, 1949, and has not been re-commenced. The reason for
this is that a vaccine has not yet been produced which is sufficiently
reliable to merit the backing of the Ministry of Health. In addition
during epidemics of poliomyelitis it was found that a number of
cases were occurring shortly after a prophylactic inoculation.
Controlled tests on a large scale have recently been completed and
they prove that certain vaccines have in fact considerable effect in
preventing the disease or in reducing its severity.
When it becomes possible to obtain supplies of the most
reliable of these vaccines the scheme will be re-commenced.
Nearly one thousand children die in England and Wales each
year from this dangerous and distressing complaint: and the health
of thousands of others is adversely affected.
The production of a really effective preventive vaccine will be
of tremendous value to the community.

Figures in the above table include children and adults treated
for verminous conditions at the Welfare Centre, Windham Road,
Richmond.
The incidence of scabies is now at a very low level, and is no
longer a serious problem in the district. The majority of the 129
cases of louse infestation are school children who are well known
to the School Nurses. They are cleansed under supervision and