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26 Report of the Medical Officer of Health for 1938.
Balham Infant Welfare Centre,
91, Bedford Hill,
Balham.
Every Friday afternoon from 2 to 3.30 p.m.
Although intended for the immunisation of susceptible children,
adults who may be brought into close and frequent contact with
children are also immunised.
Method of Procedure:—A Schick test is performed on all
adults and on children over five years of age at their first visit,
and the result is read on the second attendance a week later. If
the result is positive, showing susceptibility to Diphtheria, the
immunising injection is given on the same day.
The solution now used for immunisation is the preparation
known as Toxoid Antitoxin Floccules, or T.A.F., which requires
two injections at weekly intervals. The results obtained with
this preparation have been satisfactory.
The use of Alum Precipitated Toxoid (A.P.T.) which required
one injection, and Toxoid Anti-toxin Mixture (T.A.M.), where
three injections were necessary, has been discontinued.
Experience has shown that the large majority of children under
five years of age give a positive Schick test and in order to save
time, the procedure is modified in their case by omitting the
preliminary test, the first immunising injection being administered
at the first attendance.
A leaflet describing the procedure has been drawn up and
this is distributed by the Council's Officers when visiting homes
and at the Welfare Centres. The London County Council have
given permission for these leaflets to be distributed at their
schools, and many thousands have been given out in this manner.
Attendances:—The number of persons who have attended
at the Clinics during the year was 1,134, compared with 1,037 in
1937, 1,205 in 1936, and 1,276 in 1935. In the 11 years during
which the two clinics have been open, 10,825 persons have
attended.