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110
On page 111 there is submitted a table showing, from 1935 until
now, the number of immunised children in Leyton at the end of each
year, and on the following page is a graphical representation of these
figures showing separately the age groups 0-5 years and 5-15 years.
With regard to the age group 5-15 years, it is seen that there
has been a progressive increase in the number of immunised children
except during the late war years 1944-45-46, when so many children
in that age group were evacuated to reception areas.
In the age group 0-5 years, however, it is seen that there have
been those periods during which the progressive increase has been
interrupted:—
(a) 1939-40; the first two years of the war, when so many
mothers and young children had been evacuated to safer
areas.
(b) 1944—the year of the second evacuation due to danger
from flying bombs.
(c) 1950-51-52. In 1950 diphtheria immunisation was
discontinued for two months during an outbreak of acute
poliomyelitis; and since that time there has been a substantial
decrease in attendances for immunisation, especially of
young babies. It is unfortunate that immunisation has
become associated with acute poliomyelitis in the minds of
parents who, although they have no personal knowledge
of a case of diphtheria, have had the opportunity of
acquiring knowledge—either personal or from the press—
regarding the lifelong paralysis that may follow an attack
of poliomyelitis. The fear of diphtheria among parents
has decreased in direct relation to the decline in the disease
itself; but parents of young children are reminded that
all is not well, that diphtheria still kills, and that they
have a part to play in protecting their children and so
helping to maintain the necessary high level of immunisation
in the community.
Immunisation against diphtheria should be completed before
the child's first birthday. Protection takes about three months to
become fully effective, and it is very important that babies should be
protected during the second year of life.