§ Mr. Viantasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Department of Health receives from medical officers of health information as to the number of children immunised in previous years who have passed the age of 15 years at the time of making the return; and, if not, what was the number deducted by the officers of his Department from the totals sent in in the returns of children immunised in 1941, 1942 and 1943, when the percentage of children immunised up to the age of 15 years was calculated.
Mr. JohnstonThe information referred to in the first part of the hon. Member's Question is not specifically asked of Medical Officers of Health, and I understand that the work involved in supplying the information would be considerable. In regard to the second part of the Question, no precise figure can be placed on the number of children passing the age of 15,1550W but it has been the practice to make a percentage adjustment when calculating the percentage of children up to the age of 15 years who have been immunised.
§ Mr. Viantasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many immunised children developed diphtheria during the first six months of 1944; and how many of them died.
Mr. JohnstonAccording to returns received from Medical Officers of Health in Scotland, the number of immunised children under age 15 who developed diphtheria during the first six months of 1944 was 827. The information at present available shows that two immunised children died during the period.