HC Deb 10 April 1945 vol 409 cc1676-7W
Mr. Viant

asked the Minister of Health what was the estimated proportion of children under five years and over that age who had been inoculated against diphtheria in the Cuckfield and Burgess Hill area up to the end of the year 1939; and how many have been inoculated there in each year since 1939 under five and over five years of age, respectively.

Mr. Willink

I find that in annual reports made by the Medical Officer of Health to the three local authorities concerned, he estimated that at the end of 1939 between 80 per cent. and 90 per cent. of children under five in the area, and rather more than 90 per cent. of those between five and 15, had been immunised against diphtheria. The numbers of children immunised under the local authorities' arrangements since the end of 1939 are as follows:

Under 5. 5–15.
1940–41 1,591 3,775
1942 726 323
1943 693 300
1944 684 137