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
Bexley 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bexley]
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The number of cases of measles continued to remain appreciable though greatly reduced
from former years since the commencement of vaccination against it. The total for the year was
less than in 1969 which contrasts with England as a whole where the 1970 incidence was over
double that for 1969. In both Bexley and England the peak was in the third quarter. The restrictions
on the vaccination campaign during 1969, which stemmed from a national shortage of
vaccine, were lifted in 1970 when a sufficient supply became available. The Department of Health
and Social Security urged a vigorous resumption of the campaign for protection of all susceptible
children up to the age of 15 years because by early 1970 the number of such children in England
was probably at least as great as it had been at the outset of the campaign in 1968.
In all probability the lower number of measles cases in Bexley can be attributed to an extra
supply of vaccine which fortunately the Health and Welfare Department was able to obtain in
1969. The number of vaccinations against measles in 1970 was almost as high (2944) as in 1969
(3035).
Bexley London Borough continued to occupy its usual high place in the league table for vaccinations and immunisations as the following comparative figures show : —
| Percentage of children born in 1968 and vaccinated by December 31st 1970 against: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | Whooping Cough | Poliomyelitis | Smallpox (children under 2 years) | |
| Bexley London Borough | 90 | 89 | 87 | 46 |
| England | 81 | 79 | 79 | 35 |
The percentage figure for tetanus is not given for England, but the following numbers of
immunisations and vaccinations of persons under the age of 16 years in Bexley London Borough in
1970 speak for themselves. The actual number of injections is not given as some of the vaccines, in
particular diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus are combined. Immunisation against German
Measles (Rubella) commenced towards the end of 1970 and is shown in the table for the first time.
The arrangement for the vaccination of staff against Smallpox as described in the previous Annual
Report continued throughout 1970.
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