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9
the parents of these babies are circularised in regard to the
importance of immunisation against diphtheria. In many cases
this personally addressed circular succeeds where other methods
of encouragement have failed.
In previous reports, details have been given showing the
rapid decline in the number of notifications and deaths from
diphtheria since the immunisation campaign got under way in
1941. The following table shows the total number of corrected
notifications and deaths for England and Wales during the five
years 1944-1948 :—
Year Deaths Cases
1944 934 23,199
1945 722 18,596
1946 472 11,896
1947 244 5,609
1948 156 3,575
When it is realised that for the 10 year period 1931/40 the
average annual number of cases notified and deaths were
55,000 and 2,800 respectively the value of immunisation will
be readily appreciated.
VACCINATIONS.
Vaccination against smallpox is not now compulsory, the
Vaccination Acts 1867 to 1907 having been repealed by the
National Health Service Act, 1946.
As with diphtheria immunisation all medical practitioners
providing general medical services in the area are given an
opportunity to provide service for carrying out vaccinations.
During the year the following were performed :—
Vaccinations 292
Revaccinations 84
Total 376
Of the above, two hundred and forty-one were vaccinated
or revaccinated by private practitioners.
One hundred and forty-four of the persons vaccinated
were under 1 year of age.