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75
Prophylaxis
Vaccination and immunisation against certain diseases is undertaken both
by the Council's doctors at maternity and child health centres and schools and
by general practitioners. During the period the following numbers were protected
against the diseases specified. Of the total of 45,904, 36,103 were vaccinated
by the Council's doctors and 9,801 by general practitioners.
Primary Reinforcing
Diphtheria 4,415 6,058
Whooping Cough 4,160 2,845
Tetanus 4,455 6,411
Poliomyelitis 4,523 6,196
Smallpox 1,521 295
Measles 2,321 —
Rubella 2,704 —
It is estimated that 73% of the population aged 0-4 has been immunised
against diphtheria.
As the chances of introducing smallpox into this country has now
lessened considerably due to world wide action, it is not now considered
necessary to recommend vaccination against smallpox as a routine procedure
in early childhood. Protection can still be offered to travellers to and from
areas of the world where smallpox is endemic or where eradication programmes
are in progress.