London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Walthamstow 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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This continued outbreak appears to have been due to persistent
carriers in a non-immunised infant group linked with frequent carelessness
in sending unwell children to school.
Apart from the two mass swabbings a total of 267 swabs were
taken from September to December and 192 since the beginning of
January in connection with this school outbreak alone.
11. IMMUNISATION
(a) Against Diphtheria.—Two hundred and fifty nine primary
immunisations were done in children of school age and 1,469
"booster" doses were given in school immunising sessions.
During the five years to 1954 the percentage of children protected in the various age groups were as follows:—
| Year | Under 5 years | 5-15 years | 0-15 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 60.5 | 96.5 | 81.9 |
| 1951 | 58.1 | 99.3 | 83.0 |
| 1952 | 49.4 | 98.3 | 79.6 |
| 1953 | 44.4 | 92.5 | 73.8 |
| 1954 | 42.5 | 96.1 | 75.3 |
(b) Against Whooping Cough.—Immunisation against whooping
cough has been available for many years to children of preschool
age but in April 1953, immunisation was made available to
children of all ages. Seventeen children over five years of age were
immunised against whooping cough during 1954, but it should be
stressed that the main effort was directed towards children of preschool
years, of whom 1,022 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 | 1,063 | 229 | 21.5 |
| Girls | 916 | 187 | 20.4 | |
| Second Age Group | Boys | 496 | 152 | 30.6 |
| Girls | 577 | 249 | 43.1 | |
| Third Age Group | Boys | 966 | 224 | 23.2 |
| Girls | 1,064 | 275 | 25.8 | |
| Others | Boys | 130 | 45 | 34.6 |
| Girls | 98 | 33 | 33.6 | |
| 5,310 | 1,394 | 26.2 | ||