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WHOOPING COUGH
Whooping cough notifications showed an increase in 1963 with 23 cases
compared with 7, 27, 55, 5 and 10 in the last five years. Whooping cough
is one of the most serious childhood illnesses and immunisation of all
infants against the disease is strongly recommended. Most babies are now
immunised against whooping cough with a triple antigen combining whooping
cough, diphtheria and tetanus and this treatment should be commenced by the
second or third month.
POLIOMYELITIS
During the past six years there have been only 3 confirmed cases of
poliomyelitis in Wimbledon all of which occurred in unvaccinated persons.
No cases occurred in 1963. This most satisfactory state of affairs
indicates how effective vaccination has proved in the control of this disease.
Routine vaccination against poliomyelitils is now undertaken almost
entirely with oral vaccine. A high proportion of Wimbledon children have
been vaccinated against poliomyelitis.
MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTION
One case occurred in a boy of 4 years who was admitted to hospital with
initial symptoms of swollen glands of neck, severe headache and vomiting.
This was notified as a case of meningococcal infection although the diagnosis
was not confirmed by bacteriological examination. The rest of the family
remained well.
DIPHTHERIA
There were no cases. Every effort is made through propaganda and
other means to remind the public of the need for immunisation, but the
level of immunisation is still below what is aimed at. Parents are
strongly advised to have their children immunised, and it is of particular
importance that the initial protection is given in the first year of life.
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