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
Wimbledon 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]
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POLIOMYELITIS VACCINATION.
Following an improvement in vaccine supplies, Poliomyelitis
vaccination continued unabated throughout 1959.
In order to encourage those in the 15-26 years age group to be
vaccinated, Open Clinics, both in the evening and on Saturday mornings
were started towards the end of 1958, where vaccination could be carried
out without prior appointment. The response from this age group was
disappointingly low as it was throughout the Country.
In May, in an effort to improve the acceptance rate among these
young adults, an intensive campaign of one week's duration was launched
in Wimbledon combined with Merton and Morden. During this Polio
Week, evening clinics were set up at the Town Hall and at Amity
Grove Clinic, Raynes Park, and a total of 1,333 persons turned up to
receive their first injections.
Arising from this campaign and the associated publicity there was
a renewed interest shown in poliomyelitis vaccination and at the end of
the year the acceptance rate in this age group had risen to nearly 45%.
The following table shews the position with regard to poliomyelitis
vaccination at 31/12/59 :—
The following table shews the position with regard to poliomyelitis vaccination at 31/12/59 :—
| Class | Number vaccinated with 2 injections since the beginning of the scheme |
|---|---|
| Children born in the years 1943 to 1959 | 10.427 |
| Young persons born in the years 1933 to 1942 | 3.589 |
| Expectant mothers | 569 |
| General practitioners and families | 47 |
| Ambulance staff and families | 17 |
| Total | 14,649 |
Number of persons given reinforcing doses under the extended
Scheme - 9,394.
44