HC Deb 15 July 1937 vol 326 cc1474-5
49. Mr. Leach

asked the Minister of Health what methods are adopted by medical officers of health to ascertain whether or not diphtheria patients have been immunised, seeing that in the majority of immunisations no certificates are issued nor do the patients bear any marks to show that they have been immunised?

Sir K. Wood

I am informed that it is the practice of medical officers of health to keep records of the names of all persons who are immunised against diphtheria under arrangements made by the local authorities.

Mr. Leach

Will the right hon. Gentleman personally examine the merits of this highly dangerous and ill-chosen expedient before his Department gives it official recognition and sanction?

Sir K. Wood

I cannot accept that description of it.

50. Mr. Leach

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of diphtheria have occurred in inoculated children at Cardiff since immunisation was started in that town?

Sir K. Wood

According to the information furnished by the local authority, out of 14,523 children who had been inoculated up to the end of 1936, 195 contracted diphtheria. During the same period 2,918 cases of diphtheria occurred among all children under 15 years of age.

51. Mr. Leach

asked the Minister of Health which of the county boroughs of

NUMBER OF CHILDREN IMMUNISED AGAINST DIPHTHERIA IN CERTAIN COUNTY BOROUGHS.
County Borough. 1925. 1926. 1927. 1928. 1929. 1930. 1931. 1932. 1933. 1934. 1935. 1936. Totals.
Blackburn — — — — 58 760 1,009 2,359 4,360 589 398 573 10,106
Bury — — — — — — — — — — 567 154 721
Burnley — — — — — — — — 221 535 537 562 1,855
Bournemouth — — — — — — — — — — 405 689 1,094
Coventry — — — — 1,171 742 157 185 427 399 3,536 1,729 8,346
Leeds — — — 92 101 174 602 1,874 1,372 2,773 31,166 2,150 40,304
Liverpool 16 329 104 112 183 484 1,543 6,647 7,371 7,221 6,116 8,548 38,674
Oxford — — — — — 241 389 189 — — 425 9 1,253
Southampton — — — — — — — — — 5,748 [...] 2,110 7,858
Tynemouth — — — — — — 52 3 — — 3 1 59
Wallasey — — — — — — — — — — 255 442 697
Cardiff — — — — — — — — — — — — 14,523
Merthyr — — — — — — — — — — — — *2,251
* This figure is inclusive up to the 30th June, 1937.