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Vaccination and Immunisation
Progress was continued during 1972 with the immunisation
schedule outlined in last year's report
The percentage of children born in 1970 immunised by
31.12.72 (Last year's figures in brackets)
Whooping cough 88% (80%)
Diphtheria 91% (87%)
Poliomyelitis 93% (90.4%)
Tetanus 91% (88.0%)
Measles 62% (64.4%)
The figures for whooping cough, diphtheria, poliomyelitis
and tetanus show a very satisfactory rise on those of last year
and place us well above the national average for immunisation
rates. As these diseases become less common it becomes even
more important to stress to parents the need to protect their
children in order to maintain the level of immunity in the community.
These figures exemplify the excellent work by the Health
Department staff in this vital preventive work.
The immunisation rate for measles has remained almost
static over the past year but the number of cases occurring in
the community has continued to fall.
1970 1971 1972
Cases of Measles 977 580 392
B.C.G.
The immunisation of school children during their second
year at secondary school continued throughout the year, and a
total of 2,952 children were skin tested and 2,534 were vaccinated
against tuberculosis This is a fairly good acceptance rate,
but the need for this vital immunisation before going out in to
the adult world is not always appreciated by the children and
their parents. The incidence of tuberculosis over the years has
decreased very much but until the disease is completely eradicated,
the need for immunisation is still vital,
The campaign against rubella(german measles) has continued
and 1,735 girls were immunised in 1972, During the year the
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