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55
DIPHTHERIA
There were no cases of this disease, but, of course, no complacency is
permissible in the prevention of the condition. There is a generation of
young mothers which, because of the successful campaign against diphtheria
initiated twenty years ago, has no first-hand knowledge of its
ravages. Further, diphtheria, unlike poliomyelitis, is a killer rather than
a crippler.
Like so much else in public health, constant vigilance is essential to
ensure an adequately immunised child population.
In 1962, 2,633 were treated for the first time and booster doses were
given to 988 children.
SCARLET FEVER
In 1962 this disease, as judged by the notifications, was uncommon,
though its true incidence was probably greater because of non-notification
of cases presenting as acute tonsillitis.
SMALLPOX
1962 was a year to remember as far as smallpox in England and
Wales was concerned. The Ministry of Health in a report about the five
outbreaks, made the following points:—
(a) The big demand for vaccination caused much unnecessary
illness and death. At least 251 cases of illness and 15 deaths were
attributed to vaccination complications. In addition, less serious
reactions resulted in a big rise in claims from National Insurance
Sickness Benefit. Some of the complications arose in people who,
because of some specific medical condition, should only have
been vaccinated if they had been in contact with an actual case.
(b) Neglect of routine vaccination was partly responsible for the
public's anxiety when the outbreaks arose.
(c) Many vaccinations were done as a matter of urgency where no
urgency existed.
(d) The lesson to be learned from these episodes, is the very great
influence of the press, radio and television services upon public
morale.
(?) The result of the importation of the disease on five separate
occasions by air travellers from Pakistan was a total of 62
indigenous cases, and 24 deaths. Locally there was a total of
12,432 persons vaccinated for the first time and 19,942 persons
re-vaccinated. These figures, when compared with the corresponding
figure for 1961 of 2,391 persons and 620 persons, speak
for themselves. In 1962 also, the authorities decided that the
primary vaccination of infants was preferable at the age of one
year, rather than in the early months of life.