asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the unsatisfactory response by the public to diphtheria immunisation notifications, he will instruct county medical officers of health to revert to the system which formerly obtained of mass immunisation for certain areas on arranged dates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Diphtheria Immunisation.
According to information available in my Department the response of the public to invitations issued by health authorities in regard to diphtheria immunisation has not been unsatisfactory. During 1948, 79,596 children were fully immunised against diphtheria as compared with 48,613 for the year 1947 and 42,109 for the year 1946. I do not consider it advisable to make any change in the present method of operating diphtheria immunisation schemes which is intended to ensure that the services of district medical officers are continuously available to the public for this purpose. Mass immunisation at intervals, as suggested by the Deputy, would give rise to the danger that children who for some reason could not attend at a particular immunisation session might remain unprotected against diphtheria for long periods between sessions.