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 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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Table (iii)
| 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary vaccinations: | |||
| Under 1 year | 23,057 | 30,482 | 36,406 |
| One year | 2,135 | 3,568 | 12,036 |
| 2-4 years | 1,259 | 1,937 | 20,876 |
| 5-14 years | 808 | 1,186 | 74,080 |
| 15 years or over | 1,072 | 1,372 | 115,662 |
| Total | 28,331 | 38,545 | 259,060 |
| Given by— | |||
| l.C.C | 20,583 | 29,913 | 150,157 |
| general practitioners | 7,748 | 8,632 | 108,903 |
| Re-vaccinations: | |||
| Under 1 year | 44 | 63 | 8 |
| One year | 22 | 31 | 200 |
| 2-4 years | 113 | 185 | 11,405 |
| 5-14 years | 455 | 556 | 73,000 |
| 15 years or over | 2,940 | 3,024 | 267,464 |
| Total | 3,574 | 3,859 | 352,077 |
| Given by— | |||
| l.C.C | 1,598 | 1,715 | 171,538 |
| general practitioners | 1,976 | 2,144 | 180,539 |
| Population | 3,194,000 | 3,180,000 | 3,186,000 |
| Percentage vaccinated | 0.9 | 1.2 | 8.1 |
| Percentage re-vaccinated | 0.1 | 0.1 | 11.1 |
The large number of vaccinations in 1962 arose from reports concerning two smallpox
cases in London in the early part of the year. Experience has shown that in such circumstances
the disease can be controlled by the vaccination of close contacts of cases. Mass
vaccination, besides having no effect on the cause of the outbreak, results in the primary
vaccination of a large number of adolescents and adults, among whom complications are
more likely to occur than in infants. For these reasons the public were advised not to seek
vaccination, but so great was the public alarm that large numbers flocked to their doctors
and to the Council's clinics. The result in terms of complications was as expected. During
the year 21 cases of generalised vaccinia were reported and eight cases of post-vaccinal
encephalitis—all recovered. In addition, five cases of eczema vaccinatum were reported in
unvaccinated persons accidentally infected by contact with vaccinated persons.
63