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14
It is satisfactory to record that none of the 111 children
who had the complete course of immunisation subsequently contracted pertussis, and the fact that the five recorded deaths
were ail of children under two years of age suggests the best
time to have the child protected, namely as soon as possible
after the age of 9 months. The authority's present scheme allows
for the simultaneous immunisation against both whooping-cough
and diphtheria in the same injection, but it must be emphasized
that at least three injections, preferably at monthly intervals,
are necessary to develop an adequate protection. It should
be stated, however, that as far as is known at the moment
this protection does not operate in 100 per cent. of cases.
Immunisation against Diphtheria.
During the year 3,313 injections for immunisation against
diphtheria and diphtheria and whooping cough were given,
1,710 children having the complete course of protection.
This gratifying response reflects credit on the work done
by the various staffs responsible for carrying out the scheme
and the percentage of school children immunised in the borough
now stands at 53.7 per cent.
The records of the department illustrate that prior to 1st
January, 1941, only 1,340 children in the borough had had the
complete course of immunisation and that 331 of this number
were children under the age of 5 years.
It is very necessary that efforts to increase this number of
protected children should be maintained, for the problem is an
urgent one and demands the continued co-operation of the
teaching staff, medical officers and school nurses, and in fact
anyone who has direct access to the parents concerned.
Laboratory Facilities.
Examination of pathological specimens and other laboratory
work for the district is undertaken by the Kent County
Laboratory, Maidstone. As mentioned last year, we still have
the additional assistance of the Ministry of Health's Emergency
Laboratory Service, Buckston Browne Farm, Downe.
Mentally Defective Children.
During the year one child has taken advantage of the
Home Teaching Scheme under which lessons are given weekly
in the home.
This Scheme is in operation under the supervision of the
Kent Voluntary Association for Mental Welfare.