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
Beddington and Wallington 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beddington and Wallington]
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Immunisation Against Diphtheria
Four clinics are held weekly to give immunisation against diphtheria.
These are held at each of the three Infant Welfare Centres and at the
Medical Officer of Health's Department at the Town Hall.
The following table gives the number of children residing in the Borough who were known to be immunised in both age groups.
| 0-5 years | 5-15 years | Total 0-15 years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approximate number of children in the Borough at 31st Dec., 1957 | 1,780 | 4,560 | 6,340 |
| Number of children known to be immunised at 31st Dec., 1957 | 1,052 | 4,216 | 5,268 |
| Percentage of children immunised | 59.1 | 92.5 | 83.1 |
Formol toxoid is provided free from the Government's Central Laboratories
and has been used throughout the year in our immunisation
scheme. No cases of illness have resulted from the injections and no child
has been prevented from following his daily routine on treatment days.
This is one of the services transferred to the local health authority on
5th July, 1948. In addition to the work conducted by the Divisional
Medical Officer, general practitioners have been brought into the scheme,
and they forward returns of completed cases of immunisation to the
Divisional Medical Officer, for which they receive a fee.
Whooping Cough Immunisation
This service was continued throughout the year by the local health
authority, to whom it was transferred on the 5th July, 1948. During the
year, 295 children were immunised at County Council clinics or by their
general practitioner.
Poliomyelitis
The Poliomyelitis vaccination scheme, introduced in January 1956
continued, within the prescribed age groups, throughout 1957. The
following summary gives the position at the end of the year:
Children immunised at 31st Dec., 1956 104
Children who completed immunisation during 1957 1,100
Cases awaiting immunisation at 31st Dec., 1957 2,417
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