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Vaccination is as far as possible carried out before the age of six months.
The policy of the Council is to secure the immunisation of all children by means
of a combined diphtheria-pertussis antigen as soon as possible after the age of three
months. This age was selected in order to provide early protection against whooping
cough in view of the high mortality among children contracting the disease during the
first year of life.
In practice, it has been found that since whooping cough is an ever present
menace, parents are more willing to seek protection against this disease than against
diphtheria which is now becoming a rarity. By using a combined antigen it is ensured
that the child is protected against both diseases. The popularity of combined Immunisation
is shown by the fact that it is extremely rare for a parent to ask for immunisation against
either diphtheria or whooping cough alone. Further, the issues to general practitioners
show that there is a marked preference for the combined antigen.
It has also been found that the administration of diphtheria antigen in this way
at three months is followed by adequate immunity as Judged by the Schick test.
2. Older Children.
All children entering school for the first time are offered immunisation against
diphtheria or a "boosting" dose of antigen if they have been immunised more than two
years previously.
Sessional Arrangements.
Consent forms, together with an explanatory letter and other literature are sent
by hand to parents from the schools. After an appropriate interval to allow time for the
preparation of record cards, a doctor and school nurse visit the schools to immunise
those children whose parents have completed and returned the form of consent. Further
sessions are arranged according to requirements, as nearly as possible at monthly intervals,
in order to give second doses and to pick up absentees from the earlier visits. Visits to
Nursery Schools and classes, for the immunisation of children under five, are arranged in
the same way.
Immunisation is also carried out as required at School Clinics in the case of
children who for any reason should not wait until the medical officer's next visit to
their school.
Primary vaccination or re-vaccination of older children and adults is performed only
in the case of individuals at special risk or where it is specifically requested. This may
be carried out by the individual's own doctor or at immunisation sessions at schools or
clinics, or by special arrangement at the Health Department.
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