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60.
TABLE 31
SMALLPOX VACCINATION
No. of persons vaccinated or re-vaccinated
Age at date of vaccination
Totals
Under 1 year
1 year
2-4 years
5-14 years
Over 14 years
Number
vaccinated
1956
374
33
40
31
58
536
1957
454
88
72
152
202
968
Number
re-vaccinated
1956
1
2
4
7
92
106
1957
2
2
7
40
202
253
All vaccinations were carried out by general practitioners.
There were no cases specially reported during the period under review of:-
(a) Generalised vaccinia.
(b) Post-vaccinal encephalomyelitis.
(c) Death from complications of vaccinations other than
(a) and (b)
One must applaud the efforts of the general practitioners to raise up the vaccinal state of the
community.
Almost twice the number of persons were vaccinated or re-vaccinated as compared to 1950, in fact,
there has been a steady improvement since 1954.
Year
Number protected by vaccination
during the year
1954
585
1955
713
1956
842
1957
1,221
Poliomyelitis Vaccination
The initial scheme for inoculation of children against poliomyelitis, using a vaccine produced in
Great Britain, limited the offer of protection to children born in the years 1947 to 1954 inclusive and
asked that the offer be made known to the parents of all eligible children. A special letter incorporating
a reply paid consent form was sent to such parents, a total of 0,755 letters being despatched In
respect of 12,430 children. By the closing date of the offer, 31st March 1956, replies had been received
as follows:-
Parents consenting to vaccination of their children 3,094
" refusing " " " " 1,119
Queries, e.g. removals, etc. 68
Totals 4,281
Thus 48.9 per cent of the letters were returned and the consents received related to 4,340 children
1,996 girls and 2,344 boys - 34.9 per cent of those eligible for vaccination.