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 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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94
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.
IMMUNISATION AGAINST WHOOPING COUGH
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 | 98 | 402 | 69 | 22 | 2 | 593 |
| General Practitioners | 67 | 285 | 61 | 13 | 7 | 433 |
| Total | 165 | 687 | 130 | 35 | 9 | 1,026 |
The total for 1955 was 705 but immunisation was suspended
during August, September and October on account of the prevalence
of poliomyelitis.
In addition general practitioners gave 44 booster injections.
The percentage of children immunised during the first year of
life was 61.3.
Whooping Cough Immunisations in Walthamstow 1942/1955.
The following statement shows the number of immunisations
carried out in the various years, the Authority responsible being the
Borough Council until the Appointed Day under the National
Health Service Act, 5th July, 1948, and thereafter the Essex
County Council.
L.S.A. or
L.H.A. M.R.C. G.P.s Total
1947 ...... 47* — — 47
1948 ..... 99* — — 99
1949 526 738 — 1,264
1950 ...... 285 242 68 595
1951 ...... 432 — 62 494
1952 ..... 405 — 115 520
1953 ..... 502 — 252 754
1954 ...... 737 — 302 1,039
1955 ..._ 428 — 277 705
3,461 980 1,076 5,517
* At Day Nurseries only.