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
Brentford and Chiswick 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brentford and Chiswick]
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Smallpox
During the year one contact of a suspected smallpox case was
notified to this Department from the Port Medical Officer. The
contact was followed up but before the prescribed period had elapsed
a further communication was received stating that the original case
was found to be not smallpox.
Vaccination against Smallpox
The following information regarding vaccinations against smallpox carried out in the Borough during 1952 has been supplied by the County Medical Officer.
| Age Groups | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1 yr | 1-2 yrs | 2-4 yrs | 5-14 yrs | 15 and over | Total | |
| Primary Vaccination | 297 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 23 | 373 |
| Re-vaccination | 4 | - | 9 | 21 | 146 | 180 |
It will be noted that 301 children under 1 year of age were
vaccinated out of 852 born during the year i.e. 35%. This is a
slight improvement over the percentage for 1951 which was less than
25.
The increase in the percentage of children vaccinated in
Infancy is encouraging, as this number has been dropping each year
to an alarming extent.
Smallpox is a disease constantly present in countries formerly
so far distant as to render the admission of infected persons to
this country very unlikely, but in this age of jet propulsion, the
smallpox contact has again become our close neighbour, and however
vigilant the care of immigration authorities, the unsuspected case
may obtain entry and a vulnerable unvaccinated population is
fertile ground for the propagation of the infectious virus.
Infant vaccination is our best security, and the adult
vaccinated in infancy can be revaccinated at need without the risks
attending on adult first vaccination.
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