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28
VACCINATION AND IMMUNISATION
The programme of prophylaxis against dipntneria, whooping cougn, tetanus,
poliomyelitis and smallpox was carried on as in previous years at maternal and
cnild nealth centres, and in addition some sessions were neld at schools. At
these school sessions booster doses are given and courses of primary immunisation
if tne cnilaren have not nad tnese earlier.
The number of primary immunisations against dipntheria, whooping cougn and
tetanus given in tne first year of life dropped a little, out the number given
to children in the two years preceding school entry was higher than in 1966.
A special effort was made to include children aoout to start scnool. Tnere was
no increase in the number of children given protection against poliomyelitis
out there was an increase in the number of reinforcing doses given. Tnere is no
doubt tnat parents become complacent very easily. There is tnerefore a need
for repeated verbal reminders as well as periodic health education publicity to
maintain a satisfactory level of protected children.
Primary vaccination against smallpox is now recommended in the second year
rather than in the first year of life, as serious reactions, including encephalomyelitis
occur more frequently in later years, and sometimes leave permanent brain
damage. There was only a slight decrease in the number of primary vaccinations and
this might be a result of the lower birthrate. In June the Public Health Laboratory
Service discontinued distributing smallpox lymph direct from hospital and
general practitioners. The Health Department now obtains the lymph direct from the
Public Health Laboratory Service and distributes it upon request to hospitals and
general practitioners.
During the year the Minister of Health approved the Council's proposal to
add vaccination against measles to its scheme for vaccination and immunisation.
A limited scheme commenced in June. A stock of measles vaccine was neld in the
Department for use with selected children where an attack of measles was considered
particularly undesirable. Tne long-term follow-up of children included
in the Medical Research Council enquiry continued and some assistance with this
was given by the Department.