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IMMUNISATION AGAINST INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
Diphtheria and Whooping Cough.
Inoculation against diphtheria was introduced into Camberwell
as long ago as 1926. For the first few years there was a
disappointing response on the part of the public, but intensive
propaganda convinced more and more parents that the prophylaxis
offered them by the Council was both safe and effective
with a consequent increase in the immunisation rate. In these
days, inoculation against whooping cough is commonly combined
with injections against diphtheria. The immunisation statistics
for 1955 are set out below:
Age at 31.12.55: —
Born in year:-
Under
1
1955
1
1954
2
1953
3
1952
4
1951
5-9
1950-
46
10-14
1945-
41
Total
Under
15
Diphtheria (including
combined)
Immunised during
year 286 1,133 103 60 40 305 8 1,935
Immunised at end of
year 286 1,318 1,581 1,658 1,878 12,174 8,911 27,806
Estimated mid-year
population 13,300 26,900 40,200
Whooping cough
(including
combined)
Immunised during
year (age at date
of immunisation) 1,007 345 97 42 29 29 — 1,549
No confirmed case of diphtheria occurred in the Borough
during the year, but it must be emphasised that the continued
prevention of the occurrence of cases depends upon the maintenance
of an adequate level of immunisation.
Tetanus.
There is a strong body of opinion in favour of protecting
children against tetanus by immunisation, which could be
combined with that against diphtheria and whooping cough.
The high degree of protection afforded has been well demonstrated
as a result of experience in the Armed Forces. At
present a very large number of children who receive even