TRIENNIAL REPORT ON VACCINATION IN BURMA FOR THE YEARS 1911-12 TO 1913-14.
5
the decline in the towns of Akyab and Kyaukpyu, where small-pox was prevalent.
In Sandoway it was due to the inefficiency of the town vaccinator. In the case
of the other towns the explanation offered is either the absence of small-pox,
deficiency of the vaccination staff, or excessive vaccination in the previous year.
In the case of Myingyan it is attributed to plague.
Twenty-one of the 43 towns show an increase in primary operations over the
previous year. Although the total numerical increase is small, the percentage
increase in some of the towns is considerable. Thus Meiktila shows an increase
of 294, equal to 149 per cent., Ma-ubin 145 or 86 per cent., Thonzè 238 or 93
per cent., Gyobingauk 148 or 82 per cent., Pyinmana in spite of the prevalence
of plague showed an increase of 102 primary cases or 38 per cent. Other towns
returning a considerable increase were Pakôkku 139 excess operations, Paungdè
126, Pyapôn 102, Pegu 451 (47 per cent. increase), Prome 94, Letpadan 77. The
whole of the towns in the Pegu Division show an improvement in the work of primary
vaccination, as do those of Ma-ubin District.
Appendix B.
9. Protection afforded in towns.—In 53 towns there were returned, during
1913-14, 28,117 births and 8,135 deaths under 12 months, leaving 19,982 survivors
available for vaccination. The return of successful primary vaccination under 12
months of age is 18,694, or 93.55 per cent. of the available number.
Several towns show a larger number of infants successfully vaccinated than
the infants available after subtracting deaths from births. Thus Rangoon returns
4,296 successful operations against 4,158 infants available, Bassein 671 against
561, Nyaunglebin 187 against 114, Gyobingauk 177 against 116, Moulmein 1,245
against 1,108, Mandalay 2,988 against 2,892. Other towns presenting the same
phenomenon are Sagaing, Pakôkku, Minbu, Thayetmyo, Yamèthin, Pyinmana,
Pyawbwè and Myingyan. Taungdwingyi claims to have successfully vaccinated
all surviving infants.
This excess of infants operated upon is to be explained in many cases by
omissions in the registration of births, and affords a useful insight into the degree of
efficiency with which registration is carried out.
Of greater interest from the point of view of the organization and supervision
of vaccination work in towns is the study of the cases where the number of infants
successfully vaccinated fell far short of the number available. This result is
usually evidence of neglect or indifferent supervision on the part of the responsible
authorities. It occurred in Akyab, Kyaukpyu, Sandoway, Insein, Syriam, Prome,
Thôngvva. Paungdè, Ngathainggyaung, Henzada, Myanaung, Kyangin, Wakema,
Tavoy, Mergui, Thatôn, Kyaikto, Maymyo, Bhamo, Magwe, Yenangyaung and
to a less extent in some other towns.
Statement
No. I.
10. Primary successful vaccination.—The Provincial success-rate averages
for the whole triennium 96.63 per cent. In 1911-12 it was 96.61, in 1912-13,
96.71, and in 1913-14, 96.59.
The highest rate of success in Primary operations is claimed by Lower
Chindwin District 99.42, followed closely by Rangoon 99.34, Mandalay 99.16,
Myitkyina 99.13, Sandoway 99.00. The lowest ratio of primary successes is that
for Northern Shan States, 87.00, and Bhamo 89.43. None of the other districts
return ratios below 93.00, most being above 96.00.
The average success ratio for re-vaccination was for the triennium 68.57 per
cent., that for 1913-14, 65.40 being the lowest.
Statement
No. I.
11. Persons successfully vaccinated per 1,000 of population.—The rate for the
Province for 1913-14 was 36.39 against 37.96 in 1912-13, and 36.33 in 1911-12.
The figures on which the calculations are based include both primary and re-vac-
cinations.
In 1913-14 the highest protection rate is claimed by Kyaukpyu, 105.70.
Next comes Sagaing with 72.08 per mille but the re-vaccinations in this district
were nearly as numerous as the primary operations, and the high success rate of
88.17 per cent. is claimed for re-vaccinations. In the Upper Chindwin District
the proportion of population successfully vaccinated is stated to be 60.80 per mille
with a re-vaccination success rate of 91.34 per cent. The lowest protection
rates are recorded by Northern Shan States, 8.52 per 1,000 of population, Pyapôn
15.55. Myaungmya 16.21, Chin Hills 16.33, Southern Shan States 21.79, Thatôn
22.11, Bhamo 22.44, Hanthawaddy 23.39.
The average outturn of work per vaccinator provides some indication of the
relative activity of the district staffs, and of the thoroughness of the organization
of the work.