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
Dagenham 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Dagenham]
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Combined Prophylactics
In May 1959 at a symposium on immunisation procedures, a schedule of combined
prophylactics was recommended by the Burroughs Wellcome Research Foundation.
This was as the result of much research and took into account schemes in many local
health authorities, and covered the first 5 years of life.
It would seem to have much to recommend it to the hard-pressed mothers who
have to find time to take their infants for as many as 12 injections between the ages of
3 months and 5 years under the present scheme in this Area.
Poliomyelitis
The poliomyelitis immunisation programme for the 15—25 year olds was started
in November 1958 and evening sessions were arranged but the response for the first
few months was extremely poor until after the unfortunate death of a footballer in spring
of this year, when the flood of enquiries and acceptors almost drowned us, and from
an average attendance of 10—20 the numbers rose to 300—400 per evening session.
After this initial demand a regular evening session once a week was arranged on an
appointment system with an average of 200 injections at each session. This was continued
until all the registrations in the 15—25 year age group had been dealt with and then the
evening session was discontinued, to be started again at the end of 1959 for the booster
doses of those who had received their primary course 7 months previously.
The figures show that general practitioners have played a great part in the poliomyelitis
immunisation scheme in the Area, and I would like to thank them for their understanding
co-operation in the collection of vaccine and the completion of registrations.
During the year a total of 13,603 primary injections (i.e. 2 doses) were given and 16,859 third injections.
| Immunisation 1959 | By Medical Officers | By General Practitioners | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | 7,061 | (6,225) | 6,542 | (3,063) | 13,603 | (9,288) |
| Booster | 11,112 | 5,747 | 16,859 | |||
The corresponding figures for 1958 are shown in brackets.
There was one case of non-paralytic poliomyelitis notified to the department in 1959.
This was a boy of 6½ years who made a complete recovery.
Total acceptors since commencement of scheme 33,419
Total primary injections since commencement of scheme 28,331
Total booster injections since commencement of scheme 16,859
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