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Monday, May 14, 1973
POOR RESPONSE TO ANTI-MEASLES CAMPAIGN
Only 1,182 doses of vaccine were administered to children
during the fifth week of the current anti-measles campaign.
This compares with over 1,600 doses administered during the fifth week of a similar campaign last year and shows poor response from parents who fail to appreciate the danger of the disease.
A spokesman for the Medical and Health Department said many parents still think that an attack of measles is inevitable to every child.
"In fact measles, like smallpox, is infectious and can be prevented
by vaccination," the spokesman said.
In the five weeks to May 5 since the current campaign began,
a total of only 3,996 doses has been given. At this stage in last year's campaign the total was more than double, at 8,375 and that campaign was not considered successful.
"Parents must recognise that measles is a potentially fatal disease,"
the spokesman said.
Over 23,000 children between the ages of six months and five years were reported to have suffered from the disease during the past 10
years and just under 2,200 died as a result.
During the current campaign, free measles vaccine is available
at all maternal and child health centres as well as at 25 fixed centres set up in housing estates, health offices, government clinics, dispensaries and hospitals.
The vaccine itself is safe and effective. Only one injection is required and it will give protection to the child for at least five years.
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