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26
Section 26—Vaccination and Immunisation.
Vaccination against smallpox and immunisation against diphtheria,
whooping cough, tetanus and poliomyelitis is available at all clinics and,
of course, also through the general practitioner services. The maintenance
of a high rate of immunity is of paramount importance and every
effort is made to see that all children receive their full course of
immunising agents. This is routine practice but, as mentioned last year,
the second phase of the London and Home Counties Campaign was held
during two weeks in April, 1964. It is difficult to assess the value of
these campaigns. My own views can be summed up as—a great deal of
work for very little return.
No major changes in immunisation schedules were made during the
year. Results are still awaited on the Quadruple Vaccine Trial and,
during the year, further work was carried out with the measles vaccine.
Several hundred Harrow children took part in this first offer of measles
vaccine and are being followed up over a period of months. Further
details of this work is given in the section on Infectious Diseases.
Section 28—Care and After Care.
(1) Chiropody.
Once again the chiropody service was heavily committed during the
year, dealing with numerous applications for treatment, mainly from the
elderly. All resources—private, voluntary and local authority were kept
very busy. We managed to maintain sixteen sessions each week at the
local clinics for the people who could attend, either on their own, or with
the help of ambulance transport. Again, the British Red Cross managed
to continue the service for treating the home bound.
Since the scheme started, the following have applied for treatment:Elderly
Persons 992 662 receiving treatment
Physically Handicapped 17 13 „ „
Other 24 19 „ „
Expectant and Nursing Mothers 6 3 „ „
91 school children received treatment mainly for verruca.
(2) Recuperative Holidays.
Arrangements for sending patients for short stay convalescence continued
during the year. These holidays are confined to those recovenng
from a recent acute illness and who require only rest, fresh air and good
food to complete treatment.
The recommendations come from general practitioners and hospitals
and, after assessment in the local Area Office are, if approved, passed to
the County Medical Officer for placement in a suitable convalescent
home.