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Protection against smallpox, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and
poliomyelitis cases is available at all the Council's clinics and at the
surgeries of all general practitioners. All mothers of young children
are notified by health visitors of the need for immunisation and are
constantly reminded by widely displayed posters and leaflets.
Vaccination against tuberculosis is offered to all contacts of
infectious cases and carried out by the chest physician, In addition
all school children who have not acquired natural immunity are offered
this protection at approximately thirteen years of age. Pupils who may
have acquired natural immunity are referred to the chest physician for
chest x-ray to ensure that no treatment is necessary following their
exposure to the infection.
There is a welcome increase in the percentage of children under two
years of age who had by the end of the year completed immunisation against
whooping cough, diphtheria and poliomyelitis. There is also a very considerable
increase in the number of children who were immunised against
tetanus.
With the ever-increasing availability of travel abroad constant
vigilance by General Practitioners, Hospitals and Public Health Authorities
is necessary to prevent the undetected importation of infection by holiday
makers and others who may arrive in this country before symptoms become
obvious. Persons travelling abroad are strongly advised to take note of
the advice given in the "Notice to Travellers" issued by the Department of
Health and Social Security to ascertain what additional protection is
advised and to obtain the appropriate inoculations before travelling abroad.
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