PROTECTING CHILDREN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 248, 17 September 1940, Page 8

PROTECTING CHILDREN

DIPHTHERIA ANATOXIN

DEPARTMENT’S PLANS,

Following the consummation of similar schemes elsewhere ill New Zealand, the Health Department is now advancing plans envisaging the protection of every child in Palmerston North against any possible contraction of diphtheria. It is hoped that, with the consent of parents, whose sanction must be secured in every case, every child between the ages of one and eight years will receive the small injections which are designed to lead to the child’s complete immunity from the disease. The plan follows the modern ■aim of eliminating the possibility of disease, rather than combating it on its appearance. Last year the whole of the Hawke’s Bay area, was covered by the scheme and a considerable part of Wellington city. The whole of the Hamilton health district lias been attended to and a large part of the North Auckland area | also. After minor epidemics of diphtheria in Foxton and tiliannon. last year, the department carried, out inoculations and a marked result was secured. Four ior five of the larger schools in the Wanganui area have been attended to, and'the department is about to extend the scheme to Palmerston North. | Where contact with children cannot be {■made through tho schools, it is hoped jto secure it through the Plunkct Society, or through families’ own doctors, jby whom the treatment may be carried out if parents should prefer it. “This treatment is a most valuable I safeguard,” said. Dr. D. Cook, medical ! officer of health in charge of this district, in an interview to-day. “Considlerahle numbers in New Zealand have I received the benefit oi this simple procedure, as shown by the great diminution in the number, of diphtheria cases.

“The method adopted lor ensuring the protection of 1a child is that of giving small injections of anatoxin at intervals of three weeks. A preliminary test picks out, firstly, those children who are susceptible and need protection ; and, secondly, the few who are sensitive and for whom the dose of anatoxin will bo modified according to individual requirements. Thirdly, it will also show up a group of children who already have developed protection and to whom no further treatment will be given. More thr.n 90 per cent, of those receiving this treatment become protected against the disease within a period varying from a few wee leg to six months —once a child, is thus protected against diphtheria it will remain so for many years, probably for life. . “The treatment will be earned out in schools by the school medical officer, assisted by a staff of capable nurses, and under the strictest aseptic precautions. School children as well as those of pre-school age will receive the treatment, provided consent is received from their parents. The Health Department hopes that the family doctor will he asked to protect children against diphtheria by thi9 treatment in those cases where for various reasons it is preferred. In this health district some thousands of children have been treated during the past twelve months, and this without any complaint either from parents or children. Parents who are apprehensive should realise that this treatment is as safe as medical science can make it and that experience has demonstrated this both in New Zealand and in other parts of the world.” . , Further information required can be obtained by telephoning the office of the Department of Health (phone 7606), Palmerston North.