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mostly for the purpose of carrying out reinforcing injections,
although children requiring immunisation for the first time
also receive attention.
Parents are written to, informing them of the details of
the proposed school visit, so that they may be present if they
so desire. Although reinforcing injections are only required
at approximately four-yearly intervals, and although many
parents therefore receive a letter offering immunisation which
is not actually required, 1 am of opinion that this is a useful
yearly reminder of the value of immunisation, and that it is
very well worth-while. If the high percentage of school
children whose parents ask us to supply a reinforcing dose at
4/5 yearly intervals throughout their school life is any
criterion, the policy appears successful.
It will be obvious that any policy which caters for initial
immunisation and which does not take into consideration the
importance of periodic reinforcing injections, cannot hope to
maintain the level of immunity in its child population at the
required height. From the latest returns applicable to Southgate
(56% of children under 5 years immunised ; 85%
children over 5 years) and taking into account the absence of
diphtheria cases from the district, it would appear that this
policy is having the necessary effect.
3. A continuous campaign designed to encourage parents to
have their children immunised is pursued in Southgate. This
policy includes the mention of immunisation at Parents/
Teachers and other meetings, occasional articles in the local
press, a very complete system of letters addressed to parents
whose children are under 12 months of age, the distribution
of leaflets, and continuous propaganda by Health Visitors,
both in the home and at clinics.
This continuous propaganda is reinforced from time to
time by more intensive campaigns. I am still of the opinion,
however, that immunisation is a matter which calls for
unceasing attack, rather than more sporadic efforts.
4. Apart from the immunisation carried out by the Area Health
staff, protection against diphtheria can be supplied by most
family doctors. Material for immunisation against diphtheria
is supplied free of charge by the Area Health Office, on
request, records being kept of the immunisations carried out.
The scheme for immunisation against diphtheria in Southgate
is part of a wider campaign which embraces the whole of Area
No. 2. This campaign will shortly be modified, so that use may
be made of recent developments. Thus, a more efficient method
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