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school-children and those over school age. If there be an infant
in the household under the age of twelve months and not yet
vaccinated, vaccination should immediately be considered along
with the re-vaccination of those who have been vaccinated previously
but not within the last two or three years.
4. DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION. In spite of the most
intensive and continual advice regarding the prevention of
diphtheria by immunisation, the percentage of the child population
under five considered immunised on the 31st December was no
more than 53.44. One cannot accept such a figure with complacency.
Diphtheria immunisation is discussed with the parents of
all children who are approaching ten months, either at the Clinic
or in the home, often at both opportunities, fby the Health Visitors.
A birthday card is sent to each individual child at the first
birthday, full particulars of the local scheme being set out. The
Health Visitor checks at the first visit to each child after the first
birthday the position regarding diphtheria immunisation having
been accepted or arranged for. Any defaulters from the sessions
are referred fo the Health Visitors who pay special visit to the
home and again stress the importance of immunisation. It is
true to remark that consents obtained only after great persuasion
arc generally from those families who repeatedly fail to keep
their appointments. An explanatory leaflet is given to the
parents after the final dose of immunisation pointing out the need
for another injection just before the child enters school life, while
also the teachers take the -opportunity when interviewing parents
of entry children to mention the importance of this reinforcing
dose and an explanatory pamphlet has been provided. Routine
medical examination as school entrant provides further opportunity
of stressing the value of diphtheria immunisation— a full
course (2 injections) if the child has never been immunised, or a
reinforcing dose to carry the child through the next 5—6 years.
Posters are displayed and topical slogans shown on the blackboard
at all the Clinics continually. During the first six months
566 children received the additional reinforcing dose and 515
during the second six months. Much credit is due to both the
Health Visitors and the School Teachers in their endeavour to
obtain a fully protected child population.
5. The investigation into the value of vaccines in preventing
Whooping Cough have continued in Wembley—and in other areas
—during the past year. Some 900 children have now been
inoculated in Wembley and each child is being visited monthly
by special investigators who keep careful notes of all coughs and
colds and of any cases of Whooping Cough which occur in the
vaccinated children. The investigation—the plan of which was
described in the Report for 1946—will continue for one year more
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