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13
VACCINATION AND IMMUNISATION
Vaccination and immunisation of children against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis,
smallpox and measles was undertaken by Assistant Medical Officers at the Council's clinic and by General
Practitioners, as set out in the following programme:—
During the first year of life Diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough and oral
poliomyelitis vaccine (first dose)
Diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough and oral
poliomyelitis vaccine (second dose)
Diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough and oral
poliomyelitis vaccine (third dose)
During the second year of life Measles vaccination
Smallpox vaccination
At five years of age or school entry *Diphtheria/tetanus and oral poliomyelitis vaccine or
*Diphtheria/tetanus/poliomyelitis vaccine
Smallpox re-vaccination
* re-inforcing immunisation
Under the above programme the numbers of children receiving immunisation and vaccination were
as follows:—
Smallpox Primary vaccination 2,944 (2,924)
Re-vaccination 512 (380)
Diphtheria/tetanus/ whooping cough Primary immunisation 3,896 (3,402)
Re-inforcing 1,991 (3,904)
Poliomyelitis Primary immunisation 4,325 (3,870)
Re-inforcing 3,345 (2,893)
Measles Primary vaccination 2,374 (2,771)
(Figures for 1968 in brackets)
The routine vaccination of children against measles during the second year of life had to be discontinued
during the latter part of the year owing to a shortage of vaccine, resulting in a decrease in the
number of vaccinations in 1969 compared with 1968.
The sharp fall in the number of children receiving diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough re-inforcing
injection is due to the existing vaccination and immunisation schedule which removes the necessity for the
re-inforcing or booster dose previously given at the age of 18 months.
RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAY HOMES
The Council is empowered as part of its powers in the prevention of illness, for care and aftercare
under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, to arrange for the admission to recuperative
homes of patients recommended by general practitioners, hospitals and clinics, provided their medical condition
is such as to indicate that they require no form of medical or nursing care, are able to walk and dress
unaided, and fit to travel by normal public transport. The arrangements are intended for patients requiring a
short period of rest, fresh air and good food to complete their recovery from a recent illness or set-back in
health.
Patients in need of any form of medical and nursing care requiring convalescence are the responsibility
of the Regional Hospital Board.
During 1969, the Council arranged and accepted financial responsibility for the placement of 51 persons
in recuperative holiday homes, and of these 33 were admitted to such homes and 18 cancelled or withdrew.
A further 34 applications were received, but were declined as not falling within the scope of the scheme.
In addition, 19 school children were placed in recuperative holiday homes under Section 45 of the
Education Act, 1944.
CHIROPODY
(Table 12)
The chiropody service provided by the Council for the elderly, the physically handicapped, expectant
and nursing mothers, and children under school age, continued during the year with no slackening in demand.
4,299 patients were treated compared with 3,767 in 1968.
The service, which has been free since November 1967, was provided in the main by three full-time
and three part-time chiropodists employed by the Council, partly by arrangement with seven private chiropodists,
and partly by arrangement with the British Red Cross Society. Where treatment could not be given in
a health clinic or a private chiropodist's surgery, because of the patient's age or disability, arrangements were
made for a chiropodist to visit the patient's home.
Chiropody treatment for school children was provided under the Education Act, 1944 (see page 62).
HOME DIALYSIS
Ministry of Health Circular 2/68 of the 4th January, 1968, informed local health authorities that
adaptations for the installation of kidney machines could be carried out under Section 28 of the National
Health Service Act, 1946, and that the Minister approved the making by the Council of such charges for
this service as the Council considered reasonable having regard to the means of the person concerned. Hospital
Authorities are responsible for providing the machinery and the running costs.