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The response over the years has continued at a high
level and the primary protection is continued with "boost"
injections to maintain continuing immunity. It follows
that, in our present population, adults up to the age of
38 to 40 come within the range of the protected group.
In Friern Barnet during 1963, 92% of children reaching
the age of 2 years had been immunised. This compares with
a percentage of 85 in 1955. The system of follow-up used
is the same as that in smallpox vaccination.
Whoopirg Cough. Our main concern in this disease is to
protect the very young in whom the condition can still be
fatal. Immunisation is thus given over the first few years
of life, but since in older children the disease tends to
be mild, the regular immunisation of older groups is not
considered necessary.
Poliomyelitis. Polio vaccine was introduced in 1956 and
led to a wide initial public response, which later fluctuated.
Probably 80^ or more of young people up to the age of 24 years
have been vaccinated against poliomyelitis. Older people
up to the age of 50 years and over have also had the opportunity
of this protection although the percentage in this group will
be considerably lower.
B.C.G. Vaccination against Tuberculosis. In 1957 B.C.G.
vaccination was first offered to all school children aged
13 years i.e. prior to leaving school. This offer is made
annually to all schools, both maintained and private schools,
thus young people between the ages of 13 and 22 yeais have
all had the opportunity of receiving B.C.G. vaccination in
school, and in Friern Barnet between 60 and 70% have taken advantage
of it. The consent rate in Friern Barnet for 1963 was 69.6%.
Typhoid. A comparatively small percentage of the
population are protected against Typhoid Fever. A growing
number of our school children, however, are so protected prior
to foreign travel and it may be that the general public will
profit by their example and also seek this safeguard before
travelling abroad.
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