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47
IMMUNISATION
Advice was received from the Ministry of Health about the
best time for primary vaccination against smallpox. Evidence now
suggests that this should be offered between 1-2 years of age.
and not at about 4 months as was previously thought. Two study
sessions were held with clinic medical officers and Health
Visitors to discuss the timing of immunisation procedures, and
as a result the following schedule was put into operation.
6, 7 and 8 months - 1st, 2nd and 3rd Oral Polio
9, 10 and 11 months - 1st, 2nd and 3rd Triple
(Whooping Cough/Diphtheria/Tetanus).
12 months - Smallpox vaccination
4½-5 years - Diphtheria/Tetanus Booster
5 + years - Polio Booster
8-10 years - Diphtheria Booster
13 years - B. C. G.
These variations do tend to confuse parents, and with the
fortunate absence of cases of disease, and with the postponement
of primary vaccination for newborn infants, it is understandable
that there was a fall in applications for this protection.
Oral vaccine against poliomyelitis has proved safe and
satisfactory, and it is disappointing that acceptances have
tended to fall. The virtual elimination of this disease, once
the major anxiety of all parents, has been so successful that a
dangerous sense of security is tending to arise, which is very
difficult to combat by health education. Concerted efforts
covering the whole of the Home Counties to improve the immunisation
rates were being planned with the Ministry of Health and
other Authorities.
Tables are given in the Appendix, page 137
HOME NURSING
The number of calls upon home Nurses was almost the same as
in 1962, thus ending the downward trend in the number of patients.
The pattern of the service now seems to be well established. The
work of the rehabilitation nurse continues as a valuable supplement
to the active treatment policy of the geriatric hospital.
For detailed statistics see page 122.