London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Walthamstow 1946

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]

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40
At the end of 1946 a total of 16,206 persons aged 0 to 15
years had been protected against Diphtheria, i.e., 67.3% of the
estimated " under-fifteen " population of 24,080.
At the end of 1945 this total was 14,502, representing a net
increase in 1946 of 1,704. The total of " under-fifteens " protected
in 1946 was 2,940 which has to be reduced by 1,236, the total of
those protected in previous years who reached the age of 15 years.

The numbers and percentages of children protected in the various age-groups in 1945and1946were as follows :—

At 31st Dec.:
19461945
Total number of children under 5 immunised4,5513,222
Estimated mid-year population under 59,0408,040
Percentage immunised50.3440.1
Total number of children 5-15 immunised11,65511,280
Estimated mid-year population 5-1515,04014,030
Percentage immunised77.680.4
Total number of children 0-15 immunised16,20614,502
Estimated mid-year population 0-1524,08022,070
Percentage immunised67.365.7

During 1946 there were six deaths from Diphtheria
in Walthamstow—all in unprotected persons. By comparison
there were no deaths in 1944 nor in 1945. In 1930 there were
22 deaths from Diphtheria.
The present position is that although over three-quarters of
all children of school age have been protected against Diphtheria
only one-half of those under five years of age have been protected.
The great need now is for every baby to be immunised at nine
months or one year.
During 1946 a boy aged 6£ years, not completely protected
(inasmuch as no negative Schick test had been obtained) died from
cardiac paralysis following faucial Diphtheria. The death certificate
was given on clinical grounds but two throat swabs were negative.
General Practitioner Scheme.—Thr was extended to cover all
children up to the age of 15 years (previously 5 years) at a fee of
3s. per injection.
During 1946, 224 c.cs. of alum precipitated toxoid were issued,
a quantity sufficient to protect 224 children.
Birthday Letters.—The arrangements as detailed in the 1944
Report were continued.