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40
Children born in 1966
Whooping
Cough
(1)
Diphtheria
(2)
Poliomyeliti
(3)
Smallpox
(Children
under 2)
(4)
City of Westminster 73 74 56 29
England & Wales 73 75 71 39
Note (i) The figures in columns (1)—(3) are calculated to show the percentage of children
born in 1966 who have been vaccinated at any time.
(ii) Column (4) includes only children who were vaccinated during 1967 and were under
two years old at the time and is calculated as a percentage of children born during 1966.
This is considered to give a reasonable estimate of the proportion of young children
being vaccinated against smallpox.
Since the Ministry of Health recommended vaccination between 1-2 years there has been a
decline in numbers chiefly due to a falling off in clinic attendances after one year. Smallpox
vaccination is provided in the medical suite at City Hall in certain circumstances for adults residing
or working in Westminster and 65 such persons were vaccinated in 1967.
General practitioners are supplied with antigens, free of charge, by the Health Department.
In June, 1967, the Ministry of Health gave instructions that the issue of smallpox lymph from
Colindale Laboratories was to be discontinued and would then become the responsibility of the
Boroughs. In Westminster general practitioners and hospitals were asked to telephone their
requirements to the Health Department at the City Hall, the necessary supplies then being posted
daily at mid-day to ensure delivery the next morning. This arrangement has worked well and
some 6,500 doses have been issued.
In addition small emergency supplies of vaccine are kept at Middlesex, St. Mary's (Harrow Road)
and Westminster Hospitals where they can be obtained by local medical practitioners at weekends
or Bank Holidays. The Health Department Duty Officer at City Hall can also issue vaccines if
need arises.
Vaccination against Anthrax
In 1966 the Minister of Health urged authorities within whose areas there are establishments
which may be handling potentially infected raw materials to make arrangements under Section 26
of the National Health Service Act, 1946, for vaccination against anthrax, and issued his approval
under the Act to the making of such arrangements.
Although there are no establishments within the City of Westminster in which workers are
particularly at risk from anthrax, it was felt that there may be residents working elsewhere who may
need protection and seek this from their family doctors. The City Council at its meeting on
17th March, 1966 decided to make provision for vaccination against anthrax under this scheme;
vaccine is supplied free, on request, to general practitioners and factory doctors and the customary
payment is made to any general practitioner providing a record of anthrax vaccination. No
application for vaccine was received during 1967.
Phenylketonuria
Health Visitors undertake urine tests on all babies between the ages of six and eight weeks
either at the infant welfare clinics or at the children's homes. Where a phenistix test gives a
doubtful reaction the ferric chloride solution test is carried out. During 1967, 2,814 (3,277) tests
were made; no positive reaction was seen. It is noted that 507 babies moved out of the district
before test could be made.
Assessment Clinics of Pre-school Handicapped Children
These clinics continued throughout the year, being held at whichever child welfare centre is
most convenient for the parent. Assessment is lengthy and exacting, and the number seen at
each session is limited. During the year, a total of 78 examinations were made, 34 being first
assessments and 44 being reviews or re-assessments.