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TETANUS IMMUNISATION
Active immunisation against tetanus is available for those who desire it
in the same way as other immunising procedures. Although not a common disease,
the mortality rate is high, and immunisation is reconmended. During the year
802 children received protection.
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POLIOMYELITIS VACCINATION
Vaccination is proving very effective in the control of acute poliomyelitis
and has now taken its place as a routine procedure alongside the wellestablished
protective injections against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus
and smallpox.
Protection against poliomyelitis continued to be offered throughout the
year to all persons up to the age of 40 years and certain other priority
classes. Persons over the age of 40 years may be vaccinated by their family
doctors.
The Mobile Vaccination Unit which visited Wimbledon in the autumn of I960
returned to this area during the week 5th - 10th June, in order that those who
attended the Unit for their first two injections could receive a third injection
of vaccine.
In addition to offering third injections, the Unit was also available to
give first injections to those not previously vaccinated.
A further extension to the scheme was announced by the Minister during
the year when he asked Local Health Authorities to offer a fourth re-inforcing
injection to children between the ages of 5 and 11 years. This fourth injection
is given not earlier than one year after the third dose, but as soon as possible
thereafter.
Open Clinics, where vaccination can be carried out without prior appointment,
continued to be held at Amity Grove Clinic, Raynes Park, on Saturday
mornings, and at Russell Road Clinic on Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings
throughout the greater part of the year, although there was some curtailment of
Clinics towards the end of the year due to a shortage of vaccine.
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