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22
VACCINATION AND IMMUNISATION
The computer scheme for immunisation recording, mentioned briefly in my 1969
Report, came into operation in Hackney on 1st April 1970. Its aim is to improve
acceptance rates by ensuring a better follow up of children who never attend for
immunisation or fail to complete courses. Operation of the computer is dealt
with by the Computer Division of the London Boroughs' Management Services Unit
but the remainder of the work, including clerical details, is dealt with by
staff of the Health Department.
Appropriate details of all children born in 1969 and 1970 have been
submitted to the computer which also holds the immunisation schedule and details
of clinic and surgery sessions. The computer prints out appointment cards and
appointment lists for the children as their immunisation becomes due. If any
child fails to attend two further appointment cards are sent. Lists of those
who still do not attend are then printed out for follow up by the health visitor.
The problem of catching up with defaulters rests very largely on the effectiveness
of this follow up.
General practitioners in the borough were invited to take part in this
scheme and parents are permitted to choose between attending their child health
centre or their G. P's. surgery.
It is too soon after only one year's working to pass judgement on the
success of the scheme. The 1970 figures do however show a slight increase in
the number of completed primary courses in contrast to the downward trend wnich
had continued for some years previously.
In January doctors at immunisation clinics were again reminded of the
importance of deep intramuscular injection of adsorbed triple antigen in order
to avoid local reactions. Since the introduction of this vaccine several such
incidents have been reported.
Measles Vaccination
The campaign to vaccinate children against measles was held back in the
early part of the year by breakdown in the supply of vaccine (supplies arranged
by the Department of Health and Social Security). These difficulties were not
resolved until April when it was possible for routine measles immunisation to
be resumed.
Rube I la
Advance notice was received in February from the Chief Medical Officer,
Department of Health and Social Security, that the Joint Committee on Vaccination
ana Immunisation were considering the use of Rubella vaccine. Further guidance
was received from the Chief Medical Officer in July with the recommendation that
the vaccine now available should be offered to girls aged 11 to 14, with priority
at the outset to 13 year olds.
Since girls of this age are all attending school a programme on the lines
of the present BCG vaccination scheme was arranged. This was discussed beforehand
with the Divisional Officer of the Inner London Education Authority and
preparatory health education talks were given in schools by teaching staff and
Health Department staff. Leaflets and posters were used and a special letters
to parents distributed.
Smallpox
In July a complication ensuing after smallpox vaccination was reported to
the Dunlop Committee on Safety of Drugs and to the Department of Health and
Social Security. Such a satellite vaccinia is relatively uncommon and the twoyear
old child had to be admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children
for treatment.