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B.C.G. VACCINATION
B.C.G. vaccination is a safe and very effective method of protecting
the individual against tuberculosis. Extensive trials in England and Wales
have shown that it provides 80% protection against subsequent tuberculous
infection. The protection is long lasting and remains substantial for
10 or more years after vaccination.
During 1970, 1,664 children were given B.C.G. vaccine, an increase
of 403 over 1969. 100 pupils had a grade 2 or more reaction to Heaf
testing and were referred to the Consultant Chest Physician for further
investigation. It is now our policy to vaccinate children showing Grade
1 response to Heaf testing as it is more than probable that their response
to the Heaf test is due to mycobacteria other than tuberculosis.
This is a marked increase in the number of acceptances of this
vaccination and can be attributed to the use of a new technique of
injecting by a jet of air on the skin instead of by needle.
In addition 274 contacts of tuberculosis were vaccinated by the
Chest Physician.
RUBELLA VACCINATION
Year of Birth No. Vaccinated
1963 - 66 1
Others under Age 16 140
Total all ages l4l
Late in 1970 the Department commenced its programme to immunise
girls aged 11 to 14 years against rubella. In order to obtain a maximum
acceptance the Health Education Officer and her staff took part in a
series of talks and discussions with the older children in this age
group. By the end of the year l4l girls had been immunised.
This programme of immunisation of girls should, in the years ahead,
lead to a declining incidence of children handicapped by the rubella
syndrome which includes defects of hearing and vision and also defects of
the heart.
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