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Diphtheria Prevention.
The Ministry of Health carried on active propaganda during the
year by public advertisements, notices in the National and local press,
the distribution of literature through the schools, child welfare
centres, etc., and by cinema notices.
Mothers were also advised by the Health Visitors and Sanitary
Inspectors of the facilities provided by the Council for the immunisation
of their children. As a result of all these influences, there was
a steady flow of acceptances by the parents, many of whom took
advantage of the opportunity offered by the Council to have their
children immunised.
Special sessions for this purpose were held at convenient centres
throughout the District, and to each parent, an individual appointment
was sent, stating the time at which to attend. The treatment
consists of two injections in the arm at an interval of four weeks
between the first and second injection. Alum precipitated toxoid,
which is the material used, was supplied by the Ministry of Health
through the emergency laboratory at Epping.
During the year, 1,180 children under five years of age, and
1,188 between five and fourteen years of age, completed the course
of immunisation. It is estimated that of the children in Hornchurch,
62% of those under five and 49% of those between five and fourteen
have been immunised.