London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Acton 1955

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Acton]

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20
SECTION D
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES, SCABIES AND
OTHER CONDITIONS
DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION
Immunisation was carried out along the lines indicated in previous
reports, the following routine being practised:—
(1) All infant welfare attenders were approached at 6 months.
(2) A notice was sent to the parent of each 8 months old child.
(3) All children admitted to Day Nurseries were given protection.
(4) Health Visitors combed their districts for children who
did not attend Welfare Centres, and urged their protection.
(5) Head Teachers gave forms of consent to new school entrants.
(6) Prior to school medical inspections, questionnaires were
sent to each parent asking, inter alia, whether the child
had been inoculated. If the answer was in the negative a
form of consent was sent to the parent.
All immunised cases were followed up and, at the end of three
years, each child was offered a boost dose. At the age of 11 years
or over, this was preceded by a Schick test.
All children under 5 who had not had the disease, were inoculated
against Whooping Cough at the same time as they were
inoculated against Diphtheria, i.e. they had three doses of protective
material at monthly intervals.