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37
Smallpox.
There were no cases recorded in Kingston during 1959,
but the disease is very prevalent in many parts of the world
and constant vigilance is necessary. Particular surveillance
has to be maintained over persons arriving from abroad
particularly when they have come by air from countries where
outbreaks have occurred.
The majority of countries now insist upon an International
Certificate of Vaccination being produced before
travellers are allowed to land. In this connections a large
number of certificates issued by Kingston doctors are
officially authenticated in the Public Health Department each
year in accordance with regulations.
Vaccination is voluntary and every effort is made to
maintain a high level of immunity to smallpox in the population
by vaccinating the infants during their early months.
This is carried out by general practitioners and at the
Surrey County Council clinics. Vaccination and re-vaccination
is available free for persons of all ages. At present some
50% of Kingston babies are known to be vaccinated during their
first year and in an effort to obtain a higher level, of
vaccination, all Kingston doctors were informed of the position),
pointing out the need to raise this figure to at least
15%.
Scarlet Fever.
Twenty-seven cases were notified during 1959, 18 of
which were of school age. The cases were not serious and
there were no deaths.
Scarlet fever is a streptococcal infection and is therefor©
always viewed as potentially dangerous. Modern drugs
however prove to be a good weapon, and the illness now usually
takes a mild form.
Diphtheria.
For the twelfth year in succession no cases of diphtheria
occurred in Kingston. An intensive campaign is carried
out to immunise the school and pre-school population against
this disease and this is done under the direction of the
Medical Officer of Health at the Surrey County Council
clinics, and by the general medical practitioners.
Continued freedom from any illness creates a complacency
in the minds of the people but this must be combated particularly
in regard to diphtheria which is always likely to
reappear, and will do so if protective immunisation of children
is not kept up to a high level.
During 1959, 4, 044 Kingston children were immunised for
the first time or received reinforcing "booster" injections.
A figure known as the immunity index, which is shown as a
percentages, is computed each year. This relates to the proportion
of the child population which is known to have
received inoculation during the previous 5 years. The immunity
index in Kingston for the 1/4 age group is and the total
index for all children under the age of 15 is 62%.
The intensive campaign to immunise as many children as
possible is being maintained, and it is calculated that during
1959 the proportion of Kingston babies immunised before they
reached the age of 1 year was 84%.