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Infective Diseases
23
is essential for a further test—known as the Re-Schick Test—
to be performed. No person can be said to have been immunised
successfully until the re-test gives a negative result. Unfortunately
the exact period required to produce immunity varies
considerably and it is not possible to give an assurance that it
will take a certain time. After the last of the three immunising
injections has been given, parents are advised to bring their
children for the re-test in about four to six months and many of
them come about that time. A considerable proportion however,
fail to attend for the re-test and some fail to complete the
course of injections.
The number of persons who required immunisation was
1,446. This number is made up of the 1,014 who were found to
be Schick positive after the initial test and the 432, who were
assumed to be susceptible without a test. The subsequent history
of these 1,446 persons is given in the following statement:—
No. of persons immunised and found to be
Protected as shown by a Negative
re-Schick Test 992
No. who received a course of injections but
gave a Positive re-Schick Test 131
No. who received injections but were not re-
tested 256
No. who received one or two injections but
were not re-tested 53
Schick positive cases who were not injected 14
Total number of Susceptibles 1,446
This statement shows that 992 of the susceptible persons
who attended the Centres in two years have been protected,
a percentage of 68.6. Further particulars with regard to the
protected persons are given in Table XIV. where they are
divided into age groups and sexes and Table XV. which shows
the number of doses and the time required to produce immunity.
In most of the 992 cases a negative result was obtained on the
first occasion when the re-test was performed but some gave a