DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26465, 5 July 1951, Page 5

DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION

Sir,—The display advertisements sponsored by the Health Department serve to convey to the taxpayer the impression that the authorities try to earn their keep. This, in the matter of diphtheria prevention, may be unfortunate; for much evidence has accumulated to suggest that in trying to prevent diphtheria the department not merely is flogging a dying horse, but is engaged in fostering paralysis, insanity, heart failure and other dire complaints. When from time to time the evidence becomes too telling to be ignored, the department issues soft reassurances to anxious parents, and steps up the propaganda campaign. Diphtheria, it is true, has declined almost to vanishing point. But, as pointed out in a painstaking analysis by W. J. McCormick, M.D., of Toronto, so have numerous other afflictions. Their rate of decline has varied little, whether actively suppressed or let alone. To minds scientific a searching investigation might well commend itself—Yours, etc., NEMO. June 13, 1951.

[Commenting on this letter, the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. J. H. Blakelock) said: “I know of no evidence in support of this contention that immunisation against diphtheria has resulted in an increase of paralysis, insanity, heart failure or other serious complaints. On the other hand, in many parts of the world marked diminution in the numbers of cases of diphtheria has gone ‘pari passu’ with diphtheria inoculation campaigns and has been confined to those areas where such campaigns have been effectively carried out.” Dr. Blakelock then quoted from the Ministry of Health Circular 1944 1945, which states: “From 1940 to 1944 in England and Wales. 5,366,000.chi1dren are known to have been immunised.” According to the “Lancet,” said Dr. Blakelock. in the same period in those regions diphtheria mortality fell by nearly two-thirds. Of 135.431 children notified as suffering from diphtheria 17,087 were immunised and 118.347 unimmunised. There were 3346 fatal cases among children; of these 118 were immunised and 3228 unimmunised. "It is interesting to note,” added Dr. Blakelock, “that Prince Charles has been inoculated against diphtheria.”]