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Despite constant follow-up efforts by all concerned, some children still reach school age not fully
protected and for this reason it is still considered desirable to arrange immunisation sessions in schools.
Seventeen sessions were held in primary schools, and the co-operation of school staff in making this
possible much appreciated. 499 children completed basic courses of immunisation and 1,031 received
booster doses. It is estimated that as a result of these sessions the average percentage of children protected
in these schools was raised by 10%.
MEASLES VACCINATION
The Department of Health in a letter dated 29th July, 1970, drew attention to a rise in the number of
notified cases of measles and the need to pursue a vigorous campaign to protect young children at risk.
Protection against measles is now accepted as an integral part of the basic schedule, as the figures quoted
above confirm. In addition, sessions were arranged in thirty-six (36) schools for school children at risk, and
473 children were vaccinated at these sessions.
RUBELLA VACCINATION
As a result of the trials of this new vaccine which were carried out in 1969 and in which two Islington
schools took part, the Minister of Health recommended the vaccination of girls in the 11-13 age group,
because of the known association of certain foetal abnormalities with rubella infection in pregnancy. Plans
were put in hand for a vigorous campaign of immunisation to commence in 1971, for girls in this age group.
B.C.G. VACCINATION
Nineteen secondary schools were visited in the Borough. 1,594 children were Mantoux tested, 1,415 of
these were given B.C.G. vaccinations; 79 children were found to have positive reactions and were referred to
the Chest Clinics. 63 children were X-rayed, eleven were found to need treatment and 34 were kept under
supervision by the Chest Physician.
In view of the fact that the level of new notifications of tuberculosis in this Borough, although falling,
remained between two and three times the National average, new plans were put in hand to reduce the
incidence of this disease.
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