Immunisation against infectious disease, 1990 / Department of Health, Welsh Office, Scottish Home and Health Department.

  • Great Britain. Department of Health
Date:
[1990]
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: Immunisation against infectious disease, 1990 / Department of Health, Welsh Office, Scottish Home and Health Department. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Preface The last edition of “Immunisation against Infectious Disease” represented a major revision of this Handbook. It was generally welcomed by those involved in immunisation practice and has helped to restore confidence in our national programme. Another important recent development was the appointment of Immunisation Co-ordinators in each Health District (with equivalent appointments in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) which focused responsibility and accountability for immunisation at local level. The Joint Committee is grateful to the many individuals whose efforts are reflected in improved rates of immunisation and an encouraging fall in disease notifications, which in 1989 for measles were the lowest ever recorded. The continued cooperation of doctors in the prompt and accurate reporting of immunisation and notifiable infections is much appreciated. This latest revision reflects the Joint Committee’s wish to see the handbook updated regularly to keep pace with new developments. It contains several important changes, most notably the recommendation that infants are given earlier protection against whooping cough by accelerating the primary schedule. This change should also facilitate the more effective incorporation of immunisation into programmes of early child surveillance and improve the uptake in mobile families. The BCG chapter describes the new packaging of the vaccine and more detailed guidance is given on the correct technique and site of vaccination. Careful tuberculin skin-testing is important, avoid the use of techniques or equipment that the Joint Committee does not recommend and pay scrupulous attention to the disinfection process (which is slightly modified in this issue). Readers should also note that advice on immunoglobulins is now included in the relevant sections. Several parts have been re-written in continuing efforts to encourage positive attitudes towards achieving the maximum possible uptake of immunisation. Doctors are urged to follow these recommendations which are based on the current expert advice available to the Joint Committee, although in some circumstances they may differ from that contained in the vaccine manufacturers’ data sheets.