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IMMUNISATION AND VACCINATION
During 1961 more children received a primary course of immunisation against diphtheria,
pertussis and tetanus than in any year since the National Health Service came into being.
These good results were offset to some extent by a decline in the number receiving a primary
course of poliomyelitis vaccine caused, at least in part, by the shortage of vaccine supplies
during the year. The number of infants vaccinated against smallpox in 1961 rose somewhat
from the total of the previous year, although the figure was lower than the record level of
1959. The reasons for the decline in smallpox vaccination during the last two years are
still somewhat obscure; a slight and temporary decline was to be expected when the new
schedule of immunisations was introduced, but thereafter one might have expected a rise
to a level substantially higher than ever before. The reasons for this continued unpopularity
of smallpox vaccination require further study.
The personal record card introduced in 1959 continues to be popular with both parents
and staff. During reprinting the opportunity was taken to incorporate a section in which
allergies and other personal idiosyncrasies can be noted for the benefit of those carrying
out further inoculations. Space is also provided for a record of active and passive
immunisation against tetanus alone.
A separate sterile syringe and needle are provided for each injection. The arrangements
for sterilization remained unchanged during the year.
Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough—

The number of children referred to in table (i) who received multiple antigens is as
follows:

The number of reinforcing doses of diphtheria toxoid given to children during the year
was very much higher than during any recent year. This was the result of a deliberate attempt
to improve the level of recent diphtheria immunisation in the children of primary school
age following outbreaks of carrier infection in certain schools.
The number of recall doses of diphtheria toxoid given to children at the age of 15-18
months is well below the level that is desirable. To some extent this has been due to the
fact that this activity is timed to take place at about the same time as the third dose of
Salk poliomyelitis vaccine, which had to be curtailed during the year because of shortage
of vaccine. It is to be hoped that the number of doses of diphtheria toxoid (in the form of
the triple prophylactic) given at this stage will increase in the current year, so that a sufficient
level of protection against diphtheria can be carried over until the age of school entry.
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