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
Romford 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Romford]
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TABLE 11
| Under 5 yrs. | 5-15 yrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| No. of children who had completed a full course of Immunisation at any time up to 31st December, 1947, and who were born between 31st December, 1933 and 31st December, 1947 | 3,558 | 7,402 |
| Approx.- estimated No. of children | 6,160 | 10,200 |
| Percentage Immunised at 31st December, 1947 | 58 | 73 |
This, however, does not give a complete record as children,
as a general rule, do not complete inoculation earlier than their first
birthday. By allowing for this, the percentage of children immunised
between one and five years of age is raised to 69.
Table 12 gives the statistics since the inauguration of the
scheme in Romford in 1935, till the end of 1947.
TABLE 12.
| Number of Immunising injections given at the Clinics | 27,614 |
| Number of children who have completed the course of Injections, either at the Clinics or Privately | 13,223 |
| Number of Schick Test Injections given at the Clinics, including Control Injections | 18,647 |
| Number who have been Schick Tested | 9,343 |
| Percentage found to be Immune after Course of Treatment | 93.7 |
(d) Measles.
575 cases were notified with residence in the area; and they
occurred mostly during the first quarter of the year.
(e) Scarlet Fever.
This year 118 cases were notified with residence in the distrk-t,
and, on the whole, were again very mild in type. An unusual and
interesting outbreak occurred during the month.of September when
5 children (4 in the Romford area, and 1 in an adjoining area)
developed Scarlet Fever within a few days of discharge from one
of the local Hospitals, where they had been operated upon for the
removal of tonsils and adenoids. Two other patients were operated
upon the same day, but did not contract the infection. This outbreak
was immediately reported to the County Medical Officer, and
the Ministry of Health, and the County Medical Officer made
arrangements with the Emergency Public Health Laboratory Service
for Dr. E. A. Atkinson, Pathologist at Oldchurch Conn'.y
Hospital to assist in the investigation of the circumstances, and 1
am indebted to Or. Atkinson for the enthusiasm with whijh lie
made his enquiries.