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18
SECTION D
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES, SCABIES AND
OTHER CONDITIONS
DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION
The extension of the Poliomyelitis vaccination scheme to the
younger age groups caused some temporary dislocation of the Diphtheria
immunisation programme, but it is expected that this will
re-adjust itself as the new techniques of inoculation fall into regular
sequence.
Following a report of the Medical Research Council, the use of
combined Diphtheria and Whooping Cough vaccine was discontinued
in July 1957 on the advice of the Central Health Services
Council, and an alum-free diphtheria toxoid and a plain whooping
cough vaccine given singly, were adopted at our clinics and recommended
to the general practitioners for their use.
The report, based on statistical evidence, showed that there is a
risk of provoking poliomyelitis in using antigens in combination,
and that this risk is minimal when non alum precipitated antigens
are used singly. The change in material of course means more frequent
injections but these can be spread over the first 12 months of
life so that protection against Diphtheria, Smallpox, Whooping
Cough and Poliomyelitis can be completed before the first birthday,
with reinforcing or booster doses of Diphtheria toxoid in the fifth
and tenth years.
This explains the striking reduction in the number of " boost "
doses and Schick tests which were formerly given 'every three
years.
The protected child population at the end of 1957 is as follows :
Children under 5 years of age 2,541
Children 5-15 years 8,721
and the figures of work carried out during 1957 are given below:
DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION, 1957
Total number of under 5s inoculated 587
Total number of over 5s inoculated 23
Boost dose after 3 years 614
Schick Test after 3 years—Negative 119
Positive 3
Primary Schick Test—Negative 8
Positive 2