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36
IMMUNISATION AGAINST DIPHTHERIA.
Active immunisation against Diphtheria was carried out during
the year amongst the younger children attending Public Elementary
Schools.
Eleven schools or Departments of schools including seven of
the Infants' and Junior Mixed schools or Departments of schools
in the District were visited and the parents of the children circularised,
those who were desirous of having their children immunised
being asked to sign a consent form and to return it to the Head
Teacher.
The Essex County Council which is the Education Authority
in Hornchurch signified their approval of this work and allowed
the use of the Treatment centres and other premises.
I am much indebted to the County Medical Officer who assisted
very considerably by arranging that I should have the services of
the School Nurses and Health Visitors during the time that the
treatment was being carried out and to the Head Teachers who
granted facilities and helped very materially by assembling the
children and in many other ways.
In communications addressed to parents emphasis was laid on
the greater importance of the treatment amongst the young children
but the scheme included children of all ages, consequently mothers
were invited to bring children under school age also the brothers
and sisters, if any, in the Senior Departments.
In the following table are set out the number of children attending
Infants' and other schools together with the number of acceptances.
Children attending Senior schools who accompanied and
were treated at the same time as their young brothers and sisters
are not included.
School.
Approximate
No. on Rolls.
No. of
acceptances.
1. Junior Mixed and Infants' 565 190
2. Infants' Department 340 175
3. Junior Mixed and Infants' 425 251
4. Junior Mixed Department 549 161
5. Infants' Department 266 97
6. Mixed 187 94
7. Mixed 130 41
8. Junior Mixed and Infants' 447 132
9. Junior Mixed and Infants' 329 187
10. Boys' Department 628 165
11. Girls' Department 619 132