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 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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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 (7 weekly) continued to be held at most of the main maternal and child health centres. The revised
schedule introduced in October 1970, and referred to in my previous report, has inevitably resulted in
fewer babies completing courses of immunisation during 1971, but this will be self-adjusting during 1972.
A computerised child health record system was introduced during the year to which reference is made
elsewhere in this report. One of the purposes of this computer scheme is to provide an automatic reminder
to health visitors for each child failing to complete the primary course of protection by the due date, thus
enabling the child to be followed up. In this way, it is hoped to achieve a higher rate of acceptance of
protection by parents for their pre-school children.
The parents of children commencing school are handed a leaflet reminding them of the need for
protection against disease. Unfortunately, some children still commence school unprotected and these are
immunised at school medical inspections provided parental consent can be obtained. Alternatively, parents
of these children are encouraged to bring them to child health centres during the school holidays.
STATISTICS
The Health Education section has been active in promoting the department's immunisation campaign
with lively and eye-catching material in the form of leaflets, posters, displays, etc.
Primary courses completed
| Diphtheria | 1,588 | (3,692) |
| Whooping Cough | 1,386 | (3,267) |
| Tetanus | 1,632 | (3,800) |
| Polio | 1,654 | (3,754) |
| Measles | 1,980 | (3,092) |
| Booster doses | ||
| Diphtheria | 4,689 | (5,706) |
| Whooping Cough | 2,456 | (2,457) |
| Tetanus | 5,220 | (5,799) |
| Polio | 5,276 | (5,767) |
Percentages of children born in 1969 and vaccinated by 31.12.71
| Islington | National Average | |
|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 78% | 80% |
| Whooping Cough | 78% | 78% |
| Tetanus | 78% | 80% |
| Polio | 78% | 80% |
SMALLPOX VACCINATION
Arising from recommendations made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation
(Department of Health Circular CMO. 12/70), vaccination against smallpox is no longer recommended as a
routine in early infancy. It is still required for travellers to and from areas of the world where smallpox is
endemic, and is strongly advised for health service staff at risk of coming into contact with a case of smallpox.
Annual statistics are no longer required by the Department of Health.
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