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The remarks set out in my Annual Report for 1956 relating to
immunisation apply with equal force today. We have now
implemented the suggestion which I set out in my Report for 1956,
replacing immunisation against diphtheria and pertussis (whooping
cough) combined by immunisation against diphtheria and vaccination
against pertussis (whooping cough) separately.
It must be admitted that our new system calls for more visits
to clinics or to private doctors by mothers who wish their infants
protected against diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) as
well as being vaccinated against smallpox. Although we are keeping
very careful records, it is not yet possible to state the precise impact
which the change-over from combined inoculations to separate
inoculations has had. Our own belief, however, is that mothers
are accepting the advice given at our clinics, to the effect that a few
additional visits are much more than offset by the very full measure
of protection afforded their children.
In this connection, the Council might be interested to know
that our records show that 86% of Southgate children who attained
the age of 2 years by the end of 1955 had been immunised against
diphtheria. By the end of 1957, the latest figures available, this
percentage had risen to the almost unprecedented level of 91. It
is indeed hard to believe that this percentage will ever be improved,
although we must obviously do our utmost to see that the level is
maintained.
It is to be hoped that, when vaccination against poliomyelitis
assumes the proportions which immunisation against diphtheria has
now reached, it will be safe to resume protection against diphtheria
and pertussis (whooping cough) by the combined method. Indeed,
one might even hope that a triple or even a quadruple antigen will
eventually be available, affording protection against diphtheria,
pertusis (whooping cough) poliomyelitis and possibly tetanus, in a
single series of inoculations.
A very careful time-table was drawn up in 1957 to allow us
to offer immunisation and vaccination to mothers at properly spaced
intervals. This time-table has been working very well :
Month of age
1st No injections
2nd Pertussis vaccine—first dose
3rd „ ,, —second dose
4th No injection
5th Smallpox vaccination
6th
7th No injections
8th
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