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
Wimbledon 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]
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POLIOMYELITIS VACCINATION
In February, 1962 live attenuated Poliovirus vaccine (Sabin vaccine)
became available in this country for routine vaccination against Poliomyelitis.
It has the advantage of being given by mouth and was first used
In the clinics in Wimbledon on 31st March, 1962.
The recommended course of this oral vaccine consists of three doses
each of three drops, given at intervals of four to eight weeks, and a
reinforcing dose is offered to all immunised children joining school. The
vaccine can be administered on a lump of sugar or in syrup.
Oral vaccine is available to all persons aged between six months and
forty years and persons at special risk (including medical and nursing
staff and pregnant women).
Open clinics, where vaccination can be carried out without prior
appointment, continued to be held at Amity Grove Clinic, Raynes Park and
at Russell Road Clinic, Wimbledon on Saturday mornings throughout the year.
The weekly Poliomyelitis clinic held on Thursday evenings at Russell Road
Clinic was curtailed to a monthly clinic in September, the clinic being
held on the first Thursday evening in the month until the end of the year.
The following table shews the position with regard to poliomyelitis vaccination at 31.12.62:-
| Class | Number who have received a primary course of vaccination. |
|---|---|
| Children born in the years 1943 to 1962 | 13,060 |
| Young persons born in the years 1933 to 1942 | 4,830 |
| Others | 4,388 |
| Total | 22,278 |
Number of persons who have received a re-inforcing injection/dose of
vaccine 19,827
4,151 children between the ages of 5 and 12 years have received a
fourth injection/dose.
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