London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Islington 1911
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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228
[1911
were liable to the operation, of whom 4,961, or 66'7 per cent., were duly
vaccinated.
Insusceptibility.—21 infants were insusceptible, that is to say, they
" did not take."
Died Unvaccinated.—As already stated, 548 infants died before they
were vaccinated, as compared with 507 in 1909 and 588 in 1908.
Certificates of Exemption.—These numbered 1,080, which is by far the
greatest number hitherto recorded. Let us examine the returns for the last
few years.
1897 14 1904 89
1898 103 1905 110
1899 101 1906 123
1900 127 1907 259
1901 106 1908 588
1902 73 1909 824
1903 103 1910 1,080
The number of persons who obtained certificates for exemption in the several sub-registration districts varied considerably, as may be seen in the following statement, which gives the number of births less the infants who died unvaccinated, the number of exemption certificates which were granted, and the percentage number to such births.
| Sub-Districts. | Births. | Exemption Certificates. | Percentage of Certificates to Births, |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tufnell | 692 | 117 | 16.9 |
| Upper Holloway | 905 | 112 | 12.4 |
| Tollington | 677 | 107 | 15.8 |
| Highbury | 1,187 | 236 | 19.9 |
| Lower Holloway | 960 | 105 | 10.9 |
| Barnsbury | 1,363 | 143 | 10.5 |
| Islington South-East | 1,657 | 260 | 15.7 |
| Total | 6,909 | 1080 | 15.6 |
This is an interesting table, although one which it is difficult to explain,
because the reason 'is not very apparent why 19*9 per cent, of the infants
should remain unvaccinated in Highbury, and only 10'9 per cent, in Lower
Holloway and 10*5 per cent, in Barnsbury. The Medical Officer of Health