Diphtheria is deadly - Immunisation is the safeguard
A large painted portrait of a laughing baby on a red ground sits between the words 'Diphtheria is deadly' and 'Immunisation is the safeguard'. The headline names the threat and then the remedy (fear appeal), while the smiling infant carries the reward of compliance, a positive emotion attached to the official advice (transfer).
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1939
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- Ministry of Health and Central Council for Health Education; printed for HMSO by Chromoworks Ltd, London
- Region
- Western and Central Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- State
- Regime
- Churchill Government
- Leader
- Winston Churchill
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Mobilize or secure compliance
- Themes
- Health, Home front
- Event
- World War II
- Leader
- Winston Churchill
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Foreign Posters, retrieved October 3, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (UK Crown copyright, 50 years from publication, expired before 1996; no URAA restoration)
Crown copyright (UK government), 1939-1945; U.S. National Archives, NAID 44266404, Local Identifier 44-PF-150.
Text on the object
DIPHTHERIA is deadly- IMMUNISATION is the safeguard ASK AT YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL OFFICES OR WELFARE CENTRE Issued by the Ministry of Health and the Central Council for Health Education PRINTED FOR H.M.STATIONERY OFFICE BY CHROMOWORKS LTD, LONDON. 51-3856.
