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19
SMALLPOX VACCINATION
Vaccinations are done by the staff at the clinics and by general practitioners. The number of children
under one year of age vaccinated represents 7.2% of the total live births for the year (Table 55).
This is a fall of almost 28% and is due to a change in policy recommended by the Ministry of Health, in
which primary vaccination of infants is postponed from the age of 5 months to 19-24 months, because
reactions are less likely when the child is older. Since the change took place in April, 1963, there has not
yet been time for the full results to appear in the figures. 1962 was an abnormal year for vaccinations due
to epidemics of smallpox elsewhere in the country, resulting in great increases in the number performed
by general practitioners, especially in the older children and adult groups. The 1963 figures could more
properly be compared with the 1961 equivalents: the totals being 1,233 and 1,789 respectively. The inference
would seem to be that although the public's alarm about smallpox may be great, its memory tends to
be short.
IMMUNISATION
All children under one year are offered protection against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus,
and private doctors and assistant medical officers of health immunise them. Children usually receive reinforcing
doses just before they start school.
1,998 children completed a full course of primary immunisation, and 1,130 received a full reinforcing
injection.
INOCULATION AGAINST POLIOMYELITIS
Inoculation of persons in the priority groups continued. 914 completed a course of Salk vaccine
and 3,343 had a complete course of oral vaccine.
The Minister announced in April that in the light of experience after one year, it was now recommended
that children who had a course of oral vaccine in infancy should receive a reinforcing dose on entry
to school, normally at the age of 5 years. During the year 4,068 persons received reinforcing doses.
HOME HELP SERVICE (Tables 56 and 57)
There were 665 applications for the service, and there was a slight increase in the number of cases
still receiving help at the end of the year.
Nine tuberculosis cases were helped, and help was provided free of charge to five mothers suffering
from toxaemia of pregnancy.
Fifty-two bookings were taken for home confinements, but only 37 mothers were helped, the
remainder making alternative arrangements.
There were 79 home helps employed at the end of the year. Their rate of pay was increased to
4s. 1d. per hour, and the charge to the public increased to 4s. 9d. per hour.
Seven persons were enrolled to act as neighbourly helps but 3 only were still employed at the end
of the year.
The number of home visits made by the organisers was 4,687.
DAY NURSERIES (Tables 58-61)
All the approved places in the 8 nurseries, together with 30 places in York Park Nursery, Hendon,
have been occupied throughout the year with a high general daily attendance. The waiting list has increased
by 17%.
The maximum daily charge was increased from 15s. 6d. to 17s. 6d. from 9th June. Applicants
unable to pay the assessed charges can appeal at a meeting of the Appeals Sub-Committee.
The William Dunbar Day Nursery was approved as a training nursery for the N.N.E.B. Course.
There are now 6 training nurseries in Willesden.
Thirteen students completed the 2 years period of training for the N.N.E.B. Course. 11 passed the
examination and obtained the certificate.
Recruitment of suitable trained nursery staff remains difficult.
The establishment for students was increased by 16 to a total of 36 from September. It is hoped
this may provide additional trained staff in 1965 when these students obtain N.N.E.B. qualification.
CONVALESCENCE
Under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act, patients recovering from a serious illness or
operation and requiring only rest, fresh air and good food to complete treatment, may be recommended for
a short stay in a convalescent home.
General practitioners, hospitals and clinics, make the recommendations, which are sent to the county
medical officer who arranges suitable homes.