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
London County Council 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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IMMUNISATION AND VACCINATION
Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough—
Table (i)
| 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary course— | |||||
| Under 1 year | 18,555 | 23,927 | 24,325 | 23,385 | 29,534 |
| Age 1-4 | 11,078 | 13,907 | 12,643 | 10,560 | 10,693 |
| Total under 5 | 29,633 | 37,834 | 36,968 | 33,945 | 40,227 |
| Age 5-14 | 4,896 | 6,403 | 5,856 | 4,742 | 5,022 |
| Reinforcing doses | 30,850 | 43,866 | 39,268 | 38,725 | 33,237 |
| Immunity Index 1-4 years | 66.5 | 68.4 | 70.4 | 69.9 | 70.6 |
| — | — | 12,405 | 15,092 | 32,531 | |
| 27,941 | 36,556 | 35,648 | 34,133 | 38,917 | |
*Started January, 1957.
The number of children referred to in table (i) who received multiple antigens is as follows: Table (ii)
| 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria/whooping cough | 32,091 | 19,464 | 7,623 | 4,925 |
| Diphtheria/whooping cough/tetanus | — | 12,405 | 15,092 | 32,382 |
| Diphtheria/tetanus* | — | — | — | 42 |
*Started 1959.
During the year it was decided to introduce a standard schedule of infant immunisation
in all divisions as follows:
Age (approx.) Immunisation against
2 months Diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough (triple vaccine)
3 Diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough (triple vaccine)
4 Diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough (triple vaccine)
5 Smallpox
7 Poliomyelitis
8 Poliomyelitis
15 Diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough (triple vaccine)
15 Poliomyelitis
5 years Diphtheria/tetanus
It is hoped that by presenting the schedule of inoculations as a concerted programme
there will be uniformity in the acceptance rates of the different forms of immunisation.
One immediate result of the introduction of this new schedule, with emphasis on triple
vaccine, was that the number of children immunised against tetanus was more than doubled.
The substantial number of children so immunised made it necessary to consider the introduction
of some form of personal record for retention by the parents. A record of this
type has been brought into use. It is intended to be used by doctor or health visitor as a
basis for discussion of immunisation with the parents, and thereafter as an appointment
card and as a personal record card.
During the year it was decided that a separately sterilized syringe and needle should be
used for each immunising injection, and arrangements were made to implement this policy
early in 1960.
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