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 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brentford and Chiswick]
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Smallpox
During the year no cases of smallpox occurred in the Borough nor were
there any contacts of confirmed cases Notification of smallpox contacts is
always received as soon as. or before they enter the district In April there
was a small outbreak of smallpox in Middlesex and information was received in
the department regularly as to the progress of the incident No contacts from'
this Borough were ever traced.
In July the patient of a General Practitioner in the Borough was found to
have a severe illness which was suspect, The case was visited and a tentative
diagnosis of chicken pox made, but to make sure bacteriological investigation
was done, and a negative result obtained. The case was confirmed as very severe
chicken pox.
Vaccination against Smallpox
The following information regarding vaccination against smallpox carried
out in-the Borough during 1957 has -been supplied by the Area Medical Officer.
The following information regarding vaccination against smallpox carried
out in the borough during 1957 has been supplied by the area medical officer.
| Number of persons who during the year were | Age groups | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1 | 1 | 2 - 4 | 5-14 | 15 & over | ||
| 337 | 23 | 15 | 29 | 26 | 430 | |
| - | - | 5 | 19 | 150 | 174 | |
| 337 | 23 | 20 | 48 | 176 | 604 | |
| 298 | 373 | 548 | 487 | 438 | 418 | 430 |
Although there was a slight rise in the total number of first vaccinations
during 1957 the really important figure, i e first vaccinations of infants
under one year old, showed a further decline This fall has been noticed every
year for several years i e. in 1953 - 55% of infants under one year of age were
vaccinated, 1954 - 50%. 1955 - 47 5% 1956 - 43.7%. 1957 - 42.3%.
It was expected that the occurrence of smallpox within 10 miles of the
Borough might have resulted in an increasing demand for vaccination, but it
seems that people are not able to appreciate the risk and the fact that infant
vaccination-provides a good background for those who may require vaccination
in school or adult life, yet this becdmes increasingly more necessary as the
world becomes a smaller place through the availability of air travel to distant
places. Arise of 55% in the number of adult re-vaccinations may indicate some
awareness that smallpox was present in the County, but the majority of these
adult vaccinations are for persons emigrating to countries where vaccination Is
a compulsory requirement before entry is permitted,
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