View report page

yet attained in Southgate.
Some idea of the work involved may be gained when it
is stated that a total of 10,143 attendances were made
for the purpose of immunisation during the year. This
increase in the numbers attending our Immunisation
Clinics is very pleasing. Our latest figures show that
44.6% of children under 5 have already been protected
against diphtheria in Southgate, while 52.95% between
5 and 15 have been similarly protected. This work has
undoubtedly reduced the dangers of a diphtheria epidemic
to the known minimum, and it is not too much to say that
if the same standard were maintained throughout the
country, diphtheria as a serious disease of childhood
would disappear from these islands. We are losing no
opportunities to encourage more and more parents to take
advantage of our immunising facilities, and are now
visiting all the schools in the area at least once every
year. Free immunising material is being supplied to
all general practitioners upon request, and there is
evidence to show that here also the number of children
being protected is showing a steady increase.
Altogether, the increase in immunisations against diphtheria
is one of the most pleasing features of the
present emergency, although it is sad to think that it
took a war to awaken the conscience of parents to the .
urgent need for this vital form of protection.
The total number of persons attending the Clinic
for immunisation from the commencement of the scheme
in March 1953, until December 31st, 1941, is 6,112.
(b) against Typhoid.-
Immunisation against typhoid was offered to members
of the general public and Civil Defence Services early
in 1941. 332 persons responded, and were immunised
at the Town Hall. In addition, 15 members of the
Isolation Hospital Staff have been similarly protected.
-25-