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which the Area Health staff and family doctors carry out in
Wood Green. Inoculation against diphtheria, pertussis and
tetanus is now available at the two clinics in Wood Green. The
use of the new "treble antigen" began on the 1st January 1960
and is already proving extremely popular with mothers. Less
visits are now required either to a clinic or to the family
doctor, while protection against tetanus is now also available.
As several cases of tetanus have occurred in North London
within recent months - one in fact was a Wood Green child
this appears to be a logical addition to our protective armament.
"The latest figures for Wood Green children show that
87.8% of children up to the age of two years were protected
against diphtheria by the end of 1959, while approximately
the same number were protected against pertussis. The figures
for protection against tetanus are, of course, not yet available.
I think it would be fair to say that these figures, although
good, still leave much to be desired.
"Vaccination against smallpox is also available at both
clinics and our latest figures show that 78.7% of children up
to the age of two years were vaccinated against smallpox by
the end of 1959. Although this figure is quite high, it still
leaves much to be desired in a community such as ours. It must
be remembered, however, that not so many years ago little more
than 20 to 25% of children were so protected. It is hoped to
make considerable improvements on the average during 1960.
"Our scheme for vaccination against poliomyelitis among
children and adults is comprehensive. Vaccination against
poliomyelitis is available at both Wood Green clinics, whilst
special clinics have been arranged on Saturday mornings to
cope with young adults up to the age of 26. We know that
approximately 90% of children up to the age of 15 were protected
against poliomyelitis by vaccination by the end of 1959.
The figures relating to the 15 - 26 age group is not fully
known since many young adults were protected at their place of
work or in the City. We have, however, reason to believe that
at least 50% of adults in this age group have been protected
by vaccination. Here I think it can be claimed with some confidence
that these figures are as good as any in England or
Wales. We are now, of course, offering vaccination to all
adults up to the age of 40.
"Our publicity scheme in relation to all types of immunisation
and vaccination is very complete in Wood Green. This
includes primary vaccination or immunisation in addition to
reinforcing injections given at schools. I think it could
be said that we do more in this direction than most other areas
in Middlesex. Indeed some of my colleagues seem to think
we do too much. None the less, I am firmly convinced that
publicity plays a very important part in health education and
is partly responsible for the good results we can show in Wood
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