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63
Schick Test and Diphtheria Immunisation.
As mentioned in last year's report, the Clinic for the above
was instituted at the end of 1934.
At first it was found necessary to have two sessions weekly,
but at present, owihg to the smaller numbers attending, only one
session weekly is held. All parents of school children were circularised
and a good number responded. Now the circulars are sent
to all parents whose children are entering school for the first time.
In addition, notices are given to mothers attending the Welfare
Centres in order that the children from one year to five years of age
may have the benefit of immunisation if the parents so desire.
The details of the year's work at this Clinic are shown in
the following report by Dr. D. S. Murray :—
DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION CLINIC.
The attendance at the Diphtheria Immunisation Clinic for the
year 1936 has been generally satisfactory, as the figures given in the
table show. There has, however, been a falling off in the number
of new cases and we have not yet quite reached the ideal position,
which, as stated in the last report, requires at least 60% of the
children in the district to be immune.
The number of attendances at the clinic is relatively fewer
than last year. This is due to the fact that children under five
years are now being immunised without the first Schick test. Our
experience in Richmond showed that among children of pre-school
age there were practically none naturally immune, and having
ascertained this fact it was possible to dispense with the Schick
test. A further diminution in the number of attendances required
has also been made possible by using a two injection instead of the
three injection method, for the younger children. This has proved
satisfactory both in the production of immunity and in freedom
from reactions so long as it is confined to those under school age.