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39
At the 31st December the percentages of children who had
been immunised were as follows:—
(a) Under 5 years 69.8%
(b) Between 5 and 15 years 94%
From these figures it will be seen that the Diphtheria Immunisation
Scheme has been actively conducted during the year. The
number of children immunised for the first time was 810 compared
with 944 in 1948. The reduction in numbers is due to the smaller
number of births in 1949 and to the temporary suspension of the
scheme in the autumn on account of the epidemic of poliomyelitis.
In addition the policy of giving single-reinforcing doses at appropriate
intervals during a child's school life has been continued.
The materials used are, for children under 10, Alum Precepitated
Toxoid and for children over 10 Toxoid Anti-Toxin Floccules.
Immunisation Against Whooping Cough.
Immunisation against Whooping Cough was commenced in 1948,
when 248 children received the full course of injections. The Scheme
was continued in 1949 until suspended in October on account of the
epidemic of poliomyelitis. By this time 381 children had received
the full course of injections and the demand from the public was
growing.
At about this time it had become apparent that a number of
cases of poliomyelitis were occurring rather shortly after receiving
a prophylactic inoculation. The greater number of such cases seemed
to follow the combined Diphtheria-Whooping Cough vaccine
Whereas inoculation against Diphtheria is of undisputed value
the value of inoculation against Whooping Cough is still inconclusive.
Under the circumstances I felt that it was unjustifiable to inject into
children a prophylatic which was of doubtful value and which might
precipitate a case of poliomyelitis. For these reasons the scheme of
immunisation against Whooping Couph has been indefinitely suspended.
It is not intended to re-commence until a prophylactic is produced
which is of proved value and is recommended by the Ministry of
Health.