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14
Figures obtained from the Head Teachers of Schools within the
Borough indicate that the percentage of school children immunised is
being maintained, and the estimated figure for this year is 78 per cent.
The publicity campaigns have been directed principally to young
children and there has been an increase in the number of pre-school
children immunised; this figure is now estimated to be 54 per cent.
These figures are based principally on the number of immunisations
carried out through the Council schemes, and if the number of children
immunised privately by their own doctor could be ascertained it might
well be found that these figures are somewhat low.
Six hundred and two children were presented at clinics for Schick
testing after having received immunising injections; in only four
cases did the test prove positive and necessitate further inoculations.
One child under 15 years of age was notified as suffering from
diphtheria during 1945. The patient was aged 6 and had been immunised
at the age of one year. Comparative figures for 1944 and 1943 are 2
and 3 children respectively, all non-immunised.
A recent Ministry of Health Circular (No. 170/44, dated the 4th
December, 1944) has stated: " It is of interest also to note, even though
no causal connection can be positively demonstrated, that a decline in the
number of deaths from diphtheria, from 2,480 in 1940 and 2,641 in 1941
to 1,827 in 1942 and 1,370 in 1943, has coincided with an increasing
proportion of children protected by immunisation." The local experience
is indicated in the remarkable statistics relating to Hampstead as given
below. (It should be noted that free immunisation was commenced in
the Borough in mid-1933; since that time 6,143 children have been
immunised under official arrangements.)
Year.
Children: 0—15 years.
Number immunised
under official
arrangements.
Number of
cases of
Diphtheria.
Number of
deaths from
Diphtheria.
1928 Nil 55 3
1929 Nil 42 2
1930 Nil 63 2
1931 Nil 44 2
1932 Nil 46 3
1933 192 81 3
1934 94 7
1935 503 44 Nil
1936 343 31 Nil
1937 328 57 4
1938 343 55 Nil
1939 220 20 1
1940 24 5 Nil
1941 824 9 2
1942 1,336 10 Nil
1943 837 3 1
1944 468 2 Nil
1945 725 1 Nil
•
Vaccination.
There were 1,104 births registered during 1944 and of these 688 were
successfully vaccinated. 101 Statutory Declarations were received.