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Diphtheria.
No cases of diphtheria occurred during the year. The free
immunisation of children by general practitioners and at
clinics has been maintained.
1,172 children completed a course of immunisation during
the year. 586 re-inforcing injections were also administered.
Tuberculosis.
51 new cases of lung tuberculosis, and 8 of tuberculosis of
other organs were notified during the year. 36 of these new
cases occurred amongst residents of the L.C.C. Estates. In
addition to these new cases 75 established cases of tuberculosis,
originally acquired in other areas, took up residence in this
district during the year; 73 of these are new residents on the
L.C.C. Estates.
There were 9 deaths from tuberculosis during the year compared
with 14 in 1950 and 16 in 1949.
Vaccination Schemes.
Tuberculosis (B.C.G.) See page 3).
Smallpox. 512 primary vaccinations were performed, and
151 persons were re-vaccinated during the year. Since the
number of primary vaccinations is approximately only 62
per cent of the total number of live births for the year, this
situation cannot be regarced as satisfactory. The increasing
use of long-distance air travel constantly adds to the risk of
importation of this disease during the incubation period, and
the consequent infection of numerous contacts before the
disease can be recognised. Apart from the greater risk of
complications when the first vaccination is delayed until an
outbreak of smallpox occurs, there is therefore also the added
danger that it may then be too late to be effective. For these
reasons, every child should receive its primary vaccination in
infancy, and parents who omit to obtain this protection (which
is provided free to all under the National Health Service) for
their children, may be taking upon themselves a grave responsibility.
Ambulance personnel of the local ambulance station and
members of the Public Health Department staff were vaccinated,
as necessary, during the year.
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