London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Walthamstow 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
This page requires JavaScript
35
All the pathological specimens taken were negative and the
"outbreak" was regarded more in the nature of winter vomiting
than of food infection.
11. IMMUNISATION
(a) Against Diphtheria.—One hundred and ninety-one
primary immunisations were done in children of school age and
1,526 "booster" doses were given at school immunising sessions.
During the five years to 1953 the percentage of children protected in the various age-groups were as follows:—
| Year | Population | Percentage Immunised | 0-15 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 5-15 years | |||
| 1949 | 123,400 | 62.5 | 96.2 | 82.1 |
| 1950 | 122,700 | 60.5 | 96.5 | 81.9 |
| 1951 | 120,900 | 58.1 | 99.3 | 83.0 |
| 1952 | 120,400 | 49.4 | 98.3 | 79.6 |
| 1953 | 119,400 | 44.4 | 92.5 | 73.8 |
(b) Against Whooping Cough.—Immunisation against
whooping cough has been available for many years to children of
pre-school age but in April, 1953, immunisation was made available
to children of all ages. Eight children in the 5/11 year age group
were immunised against whooping cough during 1953 but it should
be stressed that the main effort was directed towards children of
pre-school years, of whom 746 were immunised.
(c) Vaccination.—The vaccinal condition of each child examined at routine medical inspection was noted, and a summary shows the following:—
| Number examined. | Number found to be vaccinated. | Percentage vaccinated. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entrants | Boys | 951 | 338 | 35.5 |
| Girls | 1,031 | 367 | 35.6 | |
| 2nd Age Group | Boys | 1,507 | 511 | 33.9 |
| Girls | 1,401 | 518 | 36.9 | |
| 3rd Age Group | Boys | 732 | 124 | 16.9 |
| Girls | 916 | 244 | 26.6 | |
| Others | Boys | 108 | 33 | 30.6 |
| Girls | 73 | 19 | 26.0 | |
| Totals | 6,719 | 2,154 | 32.1 | |