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PERSONAL HEALTH
Of the children born in 1969, 3,066 had received primary immunisation by
the end of 1971, representing an acceptance rate of 78.81% (England and
Wales 79.5%).
Smallpox
The recorded number of persons under sixteen years of age who received
primary vaccination was 1,574 and 1,555 were re-vaccinated.
Of the children born in 1969, 1,728 had received primary vaccination by the
end of 1971, representing an acceptance rate of 43.41%. (Following the
advice received from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation
in July, smallpox vaccination is not now recommended as a routine procedure
in early childhood).
Measles
The recorded number of persons under sixteen years of age who received
primary immunisation was 2,213.
Of the children born in 1969, 1,837 had received primary immunisation by
the end of 1971, representing an acceptance rate of 47.22%. (England and
Wales 45.8%).
Distribution of Vaccines
The Health Department is responsible for the distribution of vaccines to
general medical practitioners and for this purpose collection centres are
located at the Health Office; the Town Hall, Palmers Green; and the Central
Clinic, Edmonton.
Vaccination of Staff
It is important to ensure that persons most liable to come into contact with
an undiagnosed case of smallpox and those required to deal with an outbreak
should maintain a high level of immunity. Included in this category are
certain members of the Health Department and their immediate families.
Annual vaccination was again urged and accordingly 53 members of staff
were vaccinated.
Certain categories of the Council's staff, e.g. labourers, gardeners, motor
mechanics and sewage and refuse disposal workers, because of the nature of
their work are particularly exposed to the risk of developing tetanus, following
injury. The Council again offered vaccination against tetanus to these
groups and by the end of the year fourteen members of staff had either
completed a course of immunisation or received a reinforcing dose. A further
21 staff had commenced a course of immunisation before the end of the
year.
In view of the poor response to this offer of immunisation it is to be hoped
that many more of this "high risk" group will avail themselves of the
opportunity for protection against tetanus next year.
In view of an apparent significant rate of protection given by immunisation
against influenza last year, staff whose duties might bring them into contact
with patients suffering from influenza were again offered this protection
during the autumn and 151 members of staff were immunised.
International Certificates
of Vaccination
Three forms of International Certificates of Vaccination have been prescribed,
namely, for smallpox, cholera and yellow fever.
Yellow fever vaccination must, for international and technical reasons, be
carried out at centres designated by the Government, and International
Certificates of Vaccination against yellow fever are supplied at those centres.
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