§ Mr. Viantasked the Minister of Health whether he is receiving from local authorities all over the country returns as to diphtheria immunisation; and for what periods and in regard to what ages of children are the figures sent in.
§ Mr. BevanAnnual returns for the year ended 31st December, 1946, are now being received. These returns showinter alia, the number of children who had completed a full course of immunisation at any time up to 31st December, 1946, and were under the age of 15 years at that date. The returns are divided into the age-groups of under 1 year, aged 1, 2, 3, and 4 years respectively, aged 5 to 9 years, and aged 10 to 14 years. Returns are also obtained from local authorities for each half-year ending 30th June and 31st December showing the number of children who completed a full course of primary immunisation in the authority's 97W area in the half-year, and who were aged under 5 years, and 5 to 14 years, respectively at the date of final injection.
§ Mr. Viantasked the Minister of Health whether medical officers all over the country ascertain, in the case of a child taken from one area to another who dies of diphtheria, whether that child has been immunised in another district.
§ Mr. BevanYes, in order to make accurate returns to me, medical officers of health do their best to ascertain whether a child who died from diphtheria had or had not completed a full course of immunisation.