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 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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99
Letters were sent to the parents of all newly born children
advising them of the need to avail themselves of the facilities for
diphtheria immunisation and the Medical and Health Visiting Staffs
have maintained a system of personal persuasion.
The numbers and age groups of children immunised during the year are shown in the following table:—
| Age at date of Final Injection | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 6 mths. | 6—12 mths. | 1 year | 2—4 years | 5 years and over | Total | |
| Clinics, Nurseries and Welfare Centres | 91 | 285 | 35 | 16 | 1 | 428 |
| General Practitioners | 47 | 171 | 38 | 14 | 7 | 277 |
| Total | 138 | 456 | 73 | 30 | 8 | 705 |
The total for 1954 was 1,039 and parents seemed somewhat
keener on whooping cough immunisation for the under one's than
on having them protected against smallpox and diphtheria. Immunisation
was suspended during August, September and October
on account of the prevalence of Poliomyelitis.
In addition 32 children received a booster dose.
Six cases of whooping cough were notified in children who
had been previously immunised. These children were visited and
an assessment made of the severity of the attack according to the
criteria of the Medical Research Council.
Details are given below:—
| Date of birth | Date immunised | Date notified | Remarks | M.R.C. classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23.1.54 | 3.8.54 | 27.1.55 | No whoop; 2 dozen coughing spasms in 24 hours. | 4 |
| 19.8.53 | 15.3.54 | 24.8.55 | Indefinite whoop; only one spasm at night | 2 |
| 10.1.54 | 24.6.54 | 28.10.55 | No whoop; 3 spasms in 24 hours coughing | 2 |
| 21.1.51 | 28.11.51 | 9.11.55 | 3 whoops in 24 hours | 4 |
| 15.10.54 | 5.5.55 | 7.12.55 | No whoop; 1 spasm coughing in 24 hours | 0 |
| 14.4.54 | 21.10.54 | 23.12.55 | Whooped twice only; 4 spasms in 24 hours coughing | 3 |
0 = no recognisable stage between the pre-paroxysmal stage and the
paroxysmal stage.
2 = Atypical.
3 = considered mild ; less than 10 paroxysms in 24 hours.
4 = moderate ; more than 10 paroxysms in 24 hours.