Viseountess Astorasked the Minister of Health what was the estimated number of children immunised under five and over five years of age, and the estimated percentage of children of the same age immunised, in the county districts of Northamptonshire, and submitted to him by medical officers of health for that county for the following periods: January, 1940,to June, 1941; July, 1941, to December, 1941; and for each of the six-monthly periods of 1942?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe county medical officer of health has informed me that at the end of 1942 the numbers of immunised children in the county districts of Northamptonshire were 8,000 children under five and 28,250 children aged five to 15. He estimates that these figures represent 46 per cent. and 74 per cent. respectively of the children in the two age groups specified. This information was obtained as the result of a special investigation made by the county medical officer of health. The periodical estimates referred to in the latter part of the Question are made to me by county district medical officers of health in order that the progress of the immunisation campaign may be roughly assessed. Estimates for this purpose need not be subjected to such 1751W careful scrutiny as the county medical officer of health has applied to his figures, and I should not be justified in publishing them.