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to include re-vaccination against smallpox at 4½-5 years, and a "booster" dose against
poliomyelitis and tetanus at school-leaving age, plus re-vaccination against smallpox one
month later. Whilst agreeing with the extentions to the schedule, the concensus of opinion
in London was that because of the high mobility of families in Inner London, it is preferable
to continue to commence the basic course of protection at an early age, and also to give the
doses at reasonably short intervals. It was agreed by nine of the London Boroughs, including
Islington, to adopt the following schedule:-
Diph/Tet/Pert/Polio 3 months
„ 4 months
„ 5 months
Measles 12 months
Smallpox 17 months
Diph/Tet/Pert/Polio (Boost) 18 months
Diph/Tet/Polio Pre-school entry
Smallpox re-vaccination Pre-school entry
B.C.G. 13+ years
Polio/Tet/Smallpox
Re-Vaccination School leavers at 15 - 19 years
MEASLES VACCINATION
In 1966, this Council, with the approval of the Minister of Health, initiated a scheme
offering measles vaccination at clinics for children aged 10 months and over whose parents
requested it. During 1967 (the first full year of operation of the scheme) 309 children were
protected against measles.
In February 1968, the Minister asked all local health authorities to make arrangements
for this protection to be offered to all children up to and including the age of 15 who were
susceptible to an attack of measles because they had neither been immunised nor had natural
measles. On account of the limited supply of measles vaccine, the Minister requested that
during the months of May, June and July 1968, measles vaccination was to be offered only to
susceptible children between their fourth and seventh birthdays, and those-attending day
nurseries and nursery schools, or living in residential establishments, who were between their
first and 7th birthdays. Despite widespread publicity, which included sending a letter to
parents of all the children believed to be 'at risk' in the age group concerned and a
vaccinating team visiting all the forty-six infant schools in Islington, the response was
very disappointing.
B.C.G. VACCINATION
Twenty-one secondary schools in the Borough were visited and 1,752 schoolchildren were
Mantoux tested. 1,521 of these children were given B.C.G. vaccination. 100 children were
found to have positive reactions and were referred to Chest Clinics. 89 children were X-rayed
and of these 5 were found to need treatment and 38 were kept under supervision by the Chest
Physician.
TUBERCULOSIS INCIDENTS
During 1968, notifications were received that five schoolchildren in Islington (three
boys and two girls) were suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. A sixth notification was that
of a member of school staff teaching in Islington. Six different schools were involved.
Following investigation of the school contacts, one child was found to be suffering from
tuberculosis and 24 required supervision by the Chest Physician.
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