4
NOTES AND STATISTICS ON VACCINATION IN BURMA
(confluent) and this accounts for the increase of 2,495 cases under
re-vaccination. Thayetmyo, Thatôn and Tavoy report a noticeable'
increase in the number of successful re-vaccinations,—the reason for
the larger numbers being the outbreak of small-pox in these districts.
The high figures of Thatôn District, both under primary and re-vacci-
nations (+ 4,119 and +1,453), compare very favourably with the figures
for 1921-22, after the temporary decrease in work last year.
Among the districts of Upper Burma, Myingyan and Minbu (which
returned 2,334 and 1,142 respectively under re-vaccination last year)
have returned 5,744 and 4,178 for the year under report, the advance
being due to the outbreak of an epidemic in each of these districts.
Mention may also be made of Pakôkku, Mandalay and Magwe as
returning high figures under the present head.
It should be noted that vaccination is voluntary in most rural
areas, since the Vaccination Act has unfortunately not yet been
generally applied. Thayetmyo, Tharrawaddy and Toungoo at present
appear to be the only districts where the value of such legislation
is appreciated and where the Act is now in force. No doubt other
districts will in time follow suit. From reports received there is
evidence that there is little opposition to vaccination, and parents
on the whole willingly accede to the advice given and influence
exerted by the more enlightened village headmen, more especially when
local officers take an active interest in Vaccination propaganda. In
Burma the main incentive to undergo vaccination is an outbreak
of the disease, but next to this must be placed the personal influence
which local authorities, official and non-official, bring to bear in educa-
ting the people around them. In many reports note has been made
by Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and Civil Surgeons express-
ing their appreciation of the keenness displayed by certain Inspectors
of Vaccination and Vaccinators, and this speaks well for the
possibilities of the future and shows that local authorities in many
places are waking up to the importance of vaccination and the
dangers of inoculation. It is to be hoped that parents will likewise
soon realize their responsibilities and that the days of universal
vaccination within six months of birth, and of re-vaccination at ten
years of age, are not too far distant, for then only can we expect to
make small-pox a stranger in the land !
Statt. I. 5. Results of Vaccinations.—Primary operations verified as success-
ful show an advance of 26,369 on the previous year's return, and total
514,577 as against 488,208 in 1922-23 and 457,983 in 1921-22. The
results remained unknown in 21,269 cases, and there were only 8,495
cases reported as failures, in comparison with 9,601 failures with
23,209 unknown results in the previous year. Percentage successes
in primary vaccinations were therefore 98.38 and in re-vaccinations
46.76 as against 98.10 and 53.68 respectively in 1922-23. In Lower
Burma, Tharrawaddy District heads the list with a success rate of
99.96 per cent. in primary cases; Prome and Pyapôn follow with 99.91
per cent. and 99.82 per cent. respectively; whilst the lowest rate is
reported from Mergui 89.60 per cent.
Among the districts of Upper Burma, the maximum success rate
of 100 per cent. was reported from Myitkyina District, and close
upon this come Meiktila with 99.93 per cent. and Kyauksè 99.71