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79
Immunization against Diphtheria.—Clinics for the immunization
of children against diphtheria are held at the Health Centres.
Parents are approached by means of leaflets 01 by short talks
given to them at school medical inspections 01 during their attendance
at the Child Welfare Centres. Children over five years of
age are given a preliminary (Schick) test on account of the high
percentage that are immune to the disease above this age. Those
giving a positive reaction and thus requiring immunization are
given two injections of Alum Precipitated Toxoid (A.P.T.), the
interval between the injections being one month. Children over
12 years of age are given three injections of Toxoid Antitoxin
Floccules (T.A.F.) owing to reactions found after A.P.T. in the
older children.
All children who have received the treatment are given a final
test three mouths after the last injection to find out if they have
become immune.
Immunization Work at Health Centres in 1938.
Preliminary Schick tests 351
School children immunized 279
Children under 5 vears immunized 519
Final Schick tests 791
The total number of children immunized at the Health Centres
during the year was 798, but although this is an increase on last
year the number is so small as scarcely to affect the incidence of
diphtheria in the district.
CO-OPERATION OF PARENTS, TEACHERS, SCHOOL
ATTENDANCE OFFICERS AND VOLUNTARY BODIES.
The co-operation of parents, teachers, school attendance
officers and certain voluntary bodies is of great value in furthering
the efficiency of the School Medical Service.
The great help given by the teachers in connection with school
medical inspection and the treatment of defective children is greatly
appreciated and there is no doubt that the contact which the
teachers make with the parents is very effective in obtaining of
the required treatment.