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96
The corrected notifications and deaths from diphtheria for
England and Wales have progressively decreased since immunisation
commenced, and in 1957 reached the new low record of only
37 notifications with 6 deaths. In 1948 the corresponding figures
were 3,575 notifications and 156 deaths.
In Walthamstow there have been only two cases of confirmed
diphtheria in the last twelve years, the last being in 1950. But the
number of children immunised, especially in the 0-1 age group, falls
short of the target of immunisation in this group, i.e., 75%. The
percentage of children immunised in this age group was 62.
Number of children at 31st December, 1958, who had completed
a course of immunisation at any time before that date (i.e.,
at any time since 1st January, 1943):—
Under 1 (born 1958) 267
1—4 (born 1957-1954) 3,506
5—9 (born 1953-1949) 6,646
10—14 (born 1948-1944) 8,840
Total immunised under 15 years 19,259
Letters were sent to the parents of all newly born children
advising them of the need to avail themselves of the facilities for
diphtheria immunisation and the Medical and Health Visiting Staffs
have maintained a system of personal persuasion.

In addition general practitioners gave thirty-nine booster
injections.
The percentage of children immunised during the first year of
life was 68.