London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Coulsdon and Purley 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Coulsdon]
This page requires JavaScript
THE CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
The place of immunisation among the measures for the control of
infectious disease was discussed in the 1945 Report, and there has been
no outstanding change in our knowledge or practice since that Report
was completed.
Diphtheria Immunisation.
The following table shows the treatment given during 1947, and the proportion of children estimated to have been immunised in that year:—
| Clinics. | |
|---|---|
| Number of sessions held during the year | 56 |
| Number of children who commenced treatment | 505 |
| Number who completed treatment | 477 |
| Number of Schick tests made | 1 |
| Number of "Booster" doses given | 292 |
| Total number of attendances | 1,295 |
| Welfare Centres. | |
| Number of children who commenced treatment | 121 |
| Number who completed treatment | 119 |
| Number of " Booster " doses given | 34 |
| Total attending for immunisation | 275 |
| Schools. | |
| Number of visits made | 13 |
| Number commencing treatment | 17 |
| Number completed treatment | 5 |
| Number of Schick tests made | 38 |
| Number of " Booster " doses given | 282 |
| Proportion of children estimated to have been | |
| immunized:— | |
| (a) from 1-5 years | 48% |
| (6) from 5-14 years | 91% |
The number of clinic sessions held during 1947 was almost exactly
the same as in 1946, the number of children commencing treatment
being, however, slightly higher. In addition, the experiment was made
of giving treatment at certain of the less busy Child Welfare Centres,
the doctor normally attending the Centre giving the injections.
At the schools less treatment was given than in the previous year
and was confined to completing the very thorough review of all children
attending both private and public schools. The position in the latter
has since received further attention, and it is hoped in future to maintain
the high degree of immunity of primary school children, extending the
scope of the treatment if found practicable and desirable.
As a result of the enquiry and subsequent treatment during 1946-47,
it can be stated with a very reasonable degree of accuracy that at least
48 per cent. of children from 1 to 5 years of age and 91 per cent. of
those 5-14 years of age have been immunised, and the vast majority of
the latter have received at least one reinforcing dose.
26