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
Islington 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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| Urinals. | 0 | (26) |
| Walking aids | 44 | (51) |
| Wheel chairs and other special chairs | 80 | (107) |
INCONTINENCE PADS
Incontinence pads were supplied, mainly through district nurses and home visitors, as requested during
the year. In addition, disposable knicker linings and other protective equipment were supplied on the
recommendation of a medical practitioner. By arrangement with the Council's Cleansing Department,
polythene bags, which could be sealed and placed in dustbins for collection and disposal, were provided
with incontinence pads and other disposable articles.
PROPHYLAXIS
VACCINATION AND IMMUNISATION
All infants attending child health sessions are offered the basic course of immunisation unless they are already being given this protection by their own doctors. In addition, ad hoc vaccination and immunisation sessions (7½ weekly) continued to be held at most of the main maternal and child health centres.
| 1968 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Primary courses completed | ||
| Diphtheria | 4,102 | (4,407) |
| Whooping Cough | 3,738 | (3,988) |
| Tetanus | 4,160 | (4,473) |
| Poliomyelitis | 4,173 | (4,614) |
| Measles | 1,739 | (2,909) |
| Diphtheria | 5,961 | (5,381) |
| Whooping Cough | 2,699 | (2,619) |
| Tetanus | 5,691 | (5,332) |
| Poliomyelitis | 5,727 | (5,278) |
| Primary Courses | 2,759 | (3,363) |
| Re-vaccinations | 191 | (399) |
Despite constant follow-up efforts by all concerned, some children still reach school age not fully
protected and for this reason it is still considered desirable to arrange immunisation sessions in schools.
Nineteen sessions were held in primary schools, and we continue to be most grateful for the co-operation
of school staff in making this possible. 469 children completed basic courses of immunisation and 1,484
received booster doses. It is estimated that as a result of these sessions the average percentage of children
protected in these schools was raised by 9%.
MEASLES VACCINATION
The number of children protected against measles during 1969 fell considerably from 2,909 during
1968 to 1,739 in 1969. This was mainly due to the withdrawal during March of the measles vaccine being
used, following adverse reactions to this strain. Alternative supplies of vaccine fell short of requirements.
Fortunately, towards the end of 1969 the Department of Health notified local health authorities that
increasing quantities of an alternative vaccine would be available for distribution.
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