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DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION.
The response to immunisation in the under five group
which had apparently dropped slightly last year, has more than
recovered and the present figure of 932 is a record. This is
almost entirely due to the efforts of the Health Visitors who have
visited the small proportion of parents who require persuasion
before they accept and who represent, in annual returns, the
difference between the mediocre and the good result.
The recommendation to achieve immunity at eight months
has begun to meet with some response. It will be seen that 98
children were immunised before reaching one year of age.
Expressed as a percentage this represents 10.3 per cent, of the
immunisations in the 0-5 year old groups undertaken in our
clinics. It will be seen that 932 immunisations of infants were
carried out at the clinics in the year. This represents 73.9 per
cent, of the 1946 births. For the first time our percentage of
the under fives immunised has risen above 50 per cent. In
comparing this figure it should perhaps be borne in mind that it
is based on completed records of immunisations done. We, in
fact, have a card in our files for every one of these children. This
figure of 50 per cent. is, therefore, probably on the modest side
as it does not include transfers into the area or private immunisation
outside the authority's practitioner scheme. It will be seen
that the percentage of the school age group immunised is 77.3 per
cent. which is considerably higher than the pre-school group and
this is found to be the general experience.
The frequency of requests for booster doses suggests that
the value of immunisation has been established in the minds of
the public. It will be noted that 933 booster injections were
given in the year. It may not, perhaps, be out of place here to
repeat what we regard as the optimum programme:—
Firstly.—A first immunisation at eight months to save those
lives that are lost from diphtheria before the first birthday;
Secondly.—A booster injection at two to three years of age
and a further injection just before leaving the home for the
school where the opportunities of exposure are suddenly
greatly increased; and
Thirdly.—One or more further booster injections given during
school life. As there is a greater frequency of reactions in
the older children, however, it is preferable to have all the
necessary immunisation done before the age of the child
reaches double figures.
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