§ 76. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Health how many children have contracted diphtheria after immunisation since the practice was first introduced; how many fatal cases have occurred after being immunised during the same period; what information he has of temporary or permanent injury to the health of such children following immunisation; and to what extent such children have been proved to be more likely to be subject to other diseases or illness in later life.
§ Mr. BevanReturns from local authorities in England and Wales show that between January, 1940, and June, 1945, diphtheria notifications and deaths respectively numbered 19,040 and 142 among immunised children, as compared with 141,600 and 3,635 among children not immunised. Of some six million children immunised in England and Wales 14 cases have come to notice of later illnesses in the possible causes of which, I am advised, the diphtheria prophylaxis cannot be positively excluded as having had no part. I know of no evidence to support the suggestion in the last part of the Question.