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11
and the response from parents was very good. Reference to the tables
in Section 'F' will shown how these schemes are progressing.
Smallpox.
The Minister of Health advised that the safest time for primary
vaccination was in the second year of life rather than in the early
months. The adoption of this policy reduced the number of vaccinations
carried out during the year, but it is hoped that the response
will be satisfactory when children are called to the clinic at the
appropriate age.
Poliomyelitis.
Only the oral vaccine is now in use. It is well received by the
infants and children and no serious reactions to it have been observed.
The usual protective course consists of three doses at monthly intervals,
and children entering school are given a fourth dose as an extra
precaution.
I am pleased to report that no case of poliomyelitis occurred in
the borough during the year.
Tetanus.
It has become routine now for all infants to be protected by a
'Triple' Antigen which gives protection against Diphtheria, Whooping
Cough and Tetanus. In addition parents of older children are readily
accepting immunisation against Tetanus separately. The chief advantage
is that if an immunised child suffers an injury that could lead to
Tetanus, it is sufficient to give a booster dose of Tetanus Antigen
instead of anti-tetanic serum which, at times, causes dangerous
reactions.
Prevention of Tuberculosis.
As in previous years all children aged 13 years were offered
B.C.G. vaccination. The object is to provide artificial immunity to
the disease during the adolescent period when children are susceptible
and can be seriously affected. During 1963 a total of 430 boys and
girls were inoculated with B.C.G.
Mobile Radiography Unit.
The Mobile Chest Radiography service for general practitioners
has proved to be a great convenience to the local doctors and their
patients and good use has been made of the service. The Unit operates
outside the Municipal Offices every Monday evening from 5.45 p.m.
to 6.45 p.m. Patients are X-Rayed expeditiously and the Unit can
readily cover the demand.