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DIPHTHERIA
No case of diphtheria occurred during the year but cases are
still occurring in the rest of the country. The number of cases in
England and Wales was 37 compared with 19 in 1962. It is,
therefore, as important as ever that parents should have their
children immunised and arrange for reinforcing injections when
they are 5 and 10 years old. The number of children immunised
against this disease was 1,022 and 1,541 were given reinforcing
injections.
PUERPERAL PYREXIA
Two mild cases occurred.
SMALLPOX
The necessity for obtaining and maintaining protection
against this disease was stressed by the outbreaks that occurred
in various parts of the country in 1962 and there has been a
welcome increase in the number of vaccinations and revaccinations
carried out since then.
Towards the end of 1962 it was recommended that primary
vaccination should be carried out during the second year, as recent
figures suggest that the risk of serious reaction is lowest at this
age. Previously it had been the normal practice to vaccinate babies
at about 4 or 5 months of age.
The number of primary vaccinations carried out was 400
and the number of re-vaccinations was 68.
TETANUS
Tetanus is not notifiable and its incidence is not known.
Cases do occur, however, and there have been several fatal cases
in Surrey during recent years including one in Purley in 1959. It
is hoped that parents will have their children immunised against
this disease as well as the other diseases of childhood.
The tetanus prophylactic injection is usually a combined one
with whooping cough and diphtheria prophylactics so that no
extra injections are necessary.
The number of children immunised against this disease was
1,018 and 680 were given reinforcing injections.
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