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This indicates either that more people who had been at
risk had overcome their inhibitions against seeking treatment and
advice, or just that more people had been at risk and that the
percentage of those who sought advice remained unchanged. The
number of cases of syphilis continued to decline gradually in line
with national statistics but the number of patients from Havering
found to be suffering from gonorrhoea increased over the previous
year by almost 40%, and the 1971 figure of 109 is just double the
54 diagnosed in 1968.
Such increases in attendances must pose grave problems to
those concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of venereal
diseases, unless appropriate increases in staff and facilities are
available. To continue to deal with increases of this order without
an equivalent increase in manpower can only lead to a gradual
deterioration in the standards that can be maintained at the
treatment centres.
Immunisation & Vaccination
During the Summer of 1971 a recommendation was received
from the Ministry of Health stating that the world wide control of
smallpox had now reached such a stage that routine vaccination
against smallpox in childhood was no longer necessary. This
represents a further step forward in the World Health Organisation's
campaign for the eradication of smallpox. Smallpox vaccination
is still necessary before travelling to countries where the disease
is endemic and for all public health personnel who play an important
part in the diagnosis and control of any case that is likely to
occur in this country.
1971 saw the continuation of a campaign started in 1970
for the immunisation of all girls aged between 11 and 14 years
against german measles (rubella). German measles is a mild
disease so that eradication is unnecessary, the main complication
occurs if this disease is contracted during early pregnancy when
deformity of the unborn child may result. Throughout the year
immunisation has been offered to two year age groups so that
from 1972 it will be offered to the 11 year old girls. Fortunately
due to good public awareness, the acceptance rate for this
immunisation has been very good indeed.
The present schedule of immunisation is as follows:—
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