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87
There has been little change in the pattern of prophylaxis carried
out in Wandsworth, most immunisations being given by the Council's
whole-time or sessional medical staff. The medical and nursing
staff take every opportunity to persuade parents of the importance
of keeping children fully protected against those diseases for which
protection is recommended. It appears that the slow decline in
completed primary courses, which I mentioned last year, has not
yet been halted ; but the level of protection in the community still
remains adequate. Nonetheless, there are no grounds for complacency.
Efforts continued to ensure that all children under 16 years of
age should be vaccinated against measles unless there were contraindications
but at the end of the year there was still a long way to
go. It is hoped that during the next few years measles can become
as rare as diphtheria but this cannot happen unless even more
parents co-operate by having their children protected.
Good progress was made with the vaccination against rubella
of girls aged from eleven to thirteen. The great majority of
vaccinations against rubella and measles take place in schools,
thanks to the help and co-operation of the head teachers and their
staffs.