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Mass vaccination of the population in Wimbledon was never considered
necessary, but in view of the insistent demand from a section of the public
the situation had to be dealt with, and arrangements were made for exterded
clinics to be held. Although mass vaccination was discouraged, anyone who
was at special risk was strongly advised to be vaccinated, and anyone who
was frightened about the situation, and there seemed to be many, and who
really felt he should be vaccinated, was vaccinated, either at a Surrey
County Council Clinic or by his General Practitioner. The public morale in
this way was sustained but in dealing with the situation a tremendous burden
was placed upon the staff until the "scare" had subsided. Overall, there
was a big increase in the number of persons vaccinated in 1962, but as the
Surrey County Council did not ask for records of adults vaccinated by
General Practitioners the total number of persons vaccinated during the
year is not known. Some guide to the increased number of persons vaccinated
was, however, reflected in the big increase in the number of International
Certificates of Vaccination which were received from the public for authentication.
These certificates are required for the purpose of travel to
certain foreign countries but during the Smallpox outbreak most continental
countries insisted upon these certificates although they are not normally
required. During 1962, 4,343 certificates were brought to the Public Health
Department for authentication compared with 688 in 1961 which was the previous
highest figure.
Notifications of infectious disease amounted to only 163 compared with
1064 in 1961. The decrease was largely due to the low incidence of measles
with only 122 cases being notified compared with 980 in 1961. There were
no deaths from infectious disease. No cases of Poliomyelitis were notified.
Once more, for the thirteenth year in succession Wimbledon was completely
free from Diphtheria. There were, however, outbreaks of the disease in
unimmunised children in some parts of the country which serves to emphasise
to parents the importance of keeping their children as highly immune as
possible and for the initial protection to be given in the first year of life.
As I have stressed in previous reports it is only by maintaining a high level
of immunity that the population will be safeguarded from the return of this
dreaded disease.
Poliomyelitis vaccination continued to be offered throughout the year
to all persons up to the age of 40 years and certain other priority classes.
In the early part of the year oral vaccine (Sabin Vaccine) became available
in this country and was first used in Clinics in Wimbledon in March and was
increasingly used throughout the year.
Further good progress was made during the year towards the establishment
of Smoke Control Areas throughout the Borough under the Clean Air
Act 1956.
In conclusion, I should like to take this opportunity of expressing to
the Chairman and Members of the Health Committee my appreciation for the
consideration and courtesy which they have shewn to me during the year.
(iii)