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68
SECTION 26-VACCINATION AND IMMUNISATION
Smallpox Vaccination
Only a very small fraction of our child population is vaccinated,
although I believe a slightly better vaccinal state exists among the older
age groups.
However, in view of the riparian nature of our borough the low vaccinal
state of our people gives cause for considerable anxiety.
Ocean-going ships from the four corners of the earth tie up in the
large docks every day, and the danger thereby of importing virulent small
pox is ever present.
We have had some sharp lessons in recent epidemics elsewhere in the
country with a number of deaths, and the burgesses of East Ham would do
well to heed yet another appeal to seek vaccination now.
The family doctor will gladly give the service, and in protecting
your own life from this dread disease you will at the same time be doing
a public-spirited action in minimizing the possible spread of contagion
during an epidemic.
Diphtheria Immunisation
Immunisation of the child population against diphtheria has been well
maintained, but complacency in this matter might prove very serious.
Some 9,000 children still remain unprotected, and should the disease
strike in a virulent form there is little doubt it would find ready victims
in this unimmunised group.
Every effort will be made to keep this matter in the public eye, so
that no mother might plead ignorance of the fact that diphtheria is still
a "killing disease", and sure protection for any child can be given in
two or three spaced injections which are harmless and nearly painless.
The family doctor will carry out the injections either in his
surgery (or in some cases at home) or the immunisation can be effected in
one of the Council's clinics.

Note:- The 1001 children shewn at the foot of the Whooping Cough table
of statistics are included in the above figures.
The comparable figures for 1951 were
1,208 (Under 5) 101 (5-14) 1,309 (total) 182 (re-inforcing injections)