§ Mr. Ogdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children have been vaccinated against measles since the national campaign began; and what effect this has had upon the incidence of the disease.
§ Mr. EnnalsReturns from local health authorities in England and Wales show that about 500,000 children were vaccinated against measles during the four months 1st May to 31st August, 1968; no later figures are yet available.
The rise in the number of cases which has so far occurred this winter has been much less than would otherwise have 354W been expected. Weekly notifications are now (week ended 29th November, 1968) about one-quarter of the figure for the corresponding week of the last epidemic winter. It seems likely that the disease could be wholly prevented if all young children who have not had measles were immunised. I hope that experience so far will encourage parents to seek or accept immunisation for their children.