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- 20-
WHOOPING COUGH IMMUNISATION
Whooping cough is a disease which is particularly dangerous to children in their
first year of life and, for this reason, it is very important that early protection is given to
as many infants as possible. Primary vaccination is normally now given in the form of the
Triple Antigen commencing before the twelfth week. A booster dose is given between fifteen
and eighteen months.
Over the last few years there appears to be an emergence of a strain of Bordetella
pertussis usually of Type 1,3. Cases in previously immunised children are occurring occasionally
but no laboratory tests have yet been carried out.
Total primary
courses .
completed
Total
reinforcing
doses
At Council clinics 1,884 1,333
By general practitioners 473 430
Total: 2,357 1,763
SMALLPOX VACCINATION
Once again, the number of primary vaccinations and re-vaccinations remained
very low, although it is known that in some cases of primary vaccinations the general practitioners
do not bother to send in the form. In the case of re-vaccination, the figures give a
rather false impression since it is known by the number of International Certificates that are
now being stamped (8,358 during 1965) that many adults are, in fact, being vaccinated but
since the practitioners have no statutory duty or financial reward in informing the department,
the actual number of re-vaccinations performed is unknown. However, since the present
policy in this country in the event of an outbreak is twofold, namely, the high rate of primary
vaccinations in infants and the successful tracing and possible vaccination of contacts, it is
very important that the infant vaccination rate be as high as possible. This is unfortunately
not so due to many reasons, but there is no doubt that the advice given by the Ministry of
Health in 1962 that vaccination should preferably be offered to children in their second year
of life has made it very much more difficult for health visitors to make mothers bring their
children to the clinics.
Under
1 year
1 year
2-4
5-14
15 years
and over
Total
Primary vaccinations
At Council clinics 29 892 284 27 9 1,241
By general practitioners 32 145 54 5 6 242
Total: 61 1,037 338 32 15 1,483
Re-vaccinations
At Council clinics - 6 9 12 53 80
By general practitioners - - 1 11 8 20
Total: - 6 10 23 61 100