Bilharzia survey in the eastern Caprivi, northern Bechuanaland and northern South West Africa.

Measles is a dangerous childhood disease often with serious complications and its impact on undernourished and malnourished children is even more disastrous. There has been some hesitancy regarding its use in mass campaigns in the Republic at present, but we have been informed that a pilot study is under way in the Cape in order to assess the efficacy and side-effects of the vaccine. Although the side-effects elsewhere have been reported to be mild and of a transient nature, such as a mild febrile condition 6 10 days after vaccination and the development of a rash in certain cases 10 12 days later, we could predict that such effects might well be more severe among poorly nourished children whose resistance is suspect. However, results from Nigeria have indicated that the vaccine is both safe and effective.' It is hoped that the results of this pilot study will be satisfactory and may lead to mass immunization campaigns. Antibody studies' have indicated that so large a proportion of children are naturally immune to measles by three years of age that mass vaccination after this age would prove to be both redundant and uneconomic. Important considerations in any such campaign would be the choice of vaccine with particular reference to its immunizing properties, its reactogenecity, the ease of administration and its cost. It is essential that before launching on any such campaign we should be certain that the reactions. to the vaccine are not severe as this would certainly have an adverse effect on the public's acceptance of immunization and vaccination procedures which have been so successful in eliminating other serious preventable diseases. Such acceptance has not been won easily and we can appreciate the caution that should be adopted in order to maintain and not undo the value of such promotive measures. Measles and its complications can be childhood killers and with an effective vaccine they may be relegated to the past in the company of other formidable viral or bacterial infections. This remains a challenge and an opportunity for all those concerned with the health of the community. The public would be well rid of the notion that 'measles is simply a part of growing up'.