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15
Once again I have to report that the number of cases of diphtheria notified (44)
during the year 1948 was the lowest on record. Of these notifications only 7 were
confirmed. The notifications represent no more than about 6 per cent, of the annual
average notification prior to 1938.
It is satisfactory, again, also to record that as in 1946 diphtheria did not cause a
single death in any resident in Islington. Although it is not safe to make any firm
prophecy in the case of an infectious disease, it would, at any rate, seem highly
probably that diphtheria is well on the way to becoming a rare infection, even if it
cannot be completely eliminated. There can be little doubt but that this entirely
satisfactory situation has been brought about by the willing acceptance of the great
majority of parents of the opportunities given, whether at the clinics or through their
own private practitioners, to have their children immunised against this once much
feared disease.
It will also be noted from the details of the immunisation report below that the
arrangements for the transfer of the diphtheria immunisation service from the
Borough Council to the London County Council on 5th July did not detrimentally
affect the number of children who were immunised during the year; in fact,
the number treated in any one year was the highest except for 1942 and 1943, during
which years, of course, there was a greater leeway to make up in dealing with the
reservoir of children not immunised.
It is also pleasing to record that the diphtheria immunisation Mobile Clinic,
which commenced its activities during the summer of 1945 and which is believed to be
the only such Clinic in London successfully operated again in 1948. It was
transferred in July to the L.C.C., who expressed every intention of continuing its
activities.
The services of Dr. Fenton and Dr. Cline, the medical officers to the immunisation
clinics, were accepted by the London County Council for their work to be continued
after the transfer date.
The Borough Council were responsible for diphtheria immunisation up to 5th
July, 1948, and therefore, where the figures are given for the whole year, I am indebted
to the Divisional staff of the London County Council for providing these annual totals.
No. OF ISLINGTON CHILDREN IMMUNISED AGAINST DIPHTHERIA,
1937-1948
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941 1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
281
1,078
525
89
3,261 5,734
6,321
3,165
3,688
3,425
4,563
5,387
TOTAL—37,517.
No. OF CHILDREN WHO DIED FROM DIPHTHERIA OUT OF 37,517
IMMUNISED IN ISLINGTON—NIL.
Diphtheria Immunisation.
Under 5 yrs. 5—15 vrs.
Estimated proportion of Children Immunised at 31.12.48 50.2% 75.5%
1.1.48—4.7.48 5.7.48—31.12.48
Total Attendance at all Clinics 11,674 9,463
Sessions held 149 131
Average Attendance 78.3 72.2