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IMMUNISATION
The previously agreed programme of immunisation continued without amendment during
1972. The number of primary immunisation doses given was less than that in the previous year
except in the case of poliomyelitis vaccination, and may reflect the gradual decline in the birth rate.
On the 1 st July 1972 the immunisation records were transferred to computer processing in respect of
children born on and after 1 st January 1971, and a detailed description of the new procedure is set
out below. Experience in other local authorities suggests that this transfer can lead to an increased
level of protection against the common disease processes and the figures for future years are awaited
with interest.
The number of reinforcing doses of vaccine given shows a sharp reduction compared with the
previous year and the reasons for this situation are unclear. Significant fluctuations in the number of
doses given from year to year do occur but the trend in 1972 has been particularly disappointing.
With the virtual eradication of these disease processes by the immunisation programmes now in
operation a generation of mothers has grown up for which these diseases hold no real fear. Nevertheless
the effective control of these diseases in the future depends on a maintenance of the present
immunisation programme. As the children born in 1971 reach school age the appointment system
generated by the computer will ensure that individual notification of the need for immunisation is
given. In the intervening three years a vigorous health education programme will be necessary
to ensure that mothers recognise this continuing need.
BCG Vaccination—Production of acquired resistance to tuberculosis

It will be noted that the number of children in the second year of secondary school life who were
eligible for BCG vaccination was higher (3,475) during 1972 than for any of the previous years.
A total of 3,006 children volunteered for tuberculin testing and this high acceptance rate (86.5%)
no doubt accounts at least in part for the increase in the number of children who were found to be
tuberculin positive (181). At 6% of those tuberculin tested the number of children found to be
tuberculin positive during 1972 was higher than one would have expected from the rates for the
3 years from 1969 which were 4.6%, 4.5% and 3.9% respectively. All children found to be tuberculin
positive are referred to a chest physician for chest X-ray examination and, where considered necessary,
follow-up observation. In many cases children found to be tuberculin positive have a history
of BCG vaccination earlier in childhood, but although the total number of children found to be
tuberculin positive remains comparatively small, the trend in the rate of "conversion" needs clearly
to be kept under observation.
Rabies Vaccination
A Committee of Enquiry (the Waterhouse Committee) set up in 1970 has made recommendations
concerning the precautions which should be taken in Great Britain against the introduction
of rabies. Although prophylactic inoculation against rabies has been offered to the staff of two
kennels in the Hillingdon area for many years, a consideration of the recommendations of the
Committee suggested that such prophylaxis might also be offered to certain personnel involved in
cargo (including animals) handling duties at London (Heathrow) Airport. From enquiries made it
was clear that the number of personnel involved would exceed 3,000 and as a primary course of
inoculations would involve three injections over an eight month period and a serological test for
rabies anti-bodies would be required after each annual booster dose, this clearly would be quite an
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