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38
Personal Health Services
Immunisation and Vaccination
Early in 1968 the Ministry of Health (since re-named the Department of Health and Social
Security) published a revised recommended schedule for the routine protection of children against
various diseases, and this was brought into effect from 1st March. It is a very acceptable programme
as the number of visits to the doctor is reduced to a minimum but the level of protection is maintained.
The first doses are given at 6 months of age, consisting of oral poliomyelitis vaccine and combined
diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough by injection at the same visit. These courses run concurrently
and are completed within 9 months, followed by booster doses at school entry. Initial vaccination
against smallpox and measles is given in the second year of life, while Heaf testing and B.C.G. vaccination
for protection against tuberculosis are still offered in schools at 12-13 years of age.
The use of routine measles vaccination is new and was foreshadowed by limited administration
to children attending day nurseries, as outlined in the report for 1967. Owing to limitation of supplies
only children between the ages of 4 and 7 years were vaccinated at first, but by the end of the year
it was available to all children. This was done in order to try to protect the most vulnerable group
before the expected biennial outbreak of measles started and the 1969 report may be anticipated to
the extent of saying that this action was justified by the results.
The figures in the accompanying tables show the acceptance rate of immunisation and vaccination
against the various diseases. In general this rate is quite high, but it is very disturbing to note the
decrease in vaccination against smallpox. The reason for this is not clear and is rather surprising in
view of the increase in foreign travel and the accompanying need for international certificates of
vaccination. There has been no dramatic outbreak of smallpox in this country for a few years but the
potential danger of the airport still remains within this borough. Although few residents may come
into direct contact with travellers from countries where smallpox is endemic, many are employed
at the airport and constitute therefore a greater risk to their families and contacts.
HOME HELP SERVICE
The number of Home Helps employed at the end of the year was 5 full-time and 69 part-time,
making an equivalent of 74 full-time workers—slightly more than the previous year.
The standard charge for the service is 6/8d. per hour, but all persons unable to pay this are
assessed in accordance with the Council's scale. Recipients of Ministry of Social Security Supplementary
Pensions are given a nil assessment, as are patients suffering from toxaemia of pregnancy needing
complete bed rest.

TUBERCULOSIS—PREVENTION, CARE AND AFTER CARE
The two chest clinics in the area are situated at Hillingdon Hospital and Mount Vernon Hospital.
There is one full-time tuberculosis visitor, and the services of the health visitors are also available,
if required, to advise on the prevention of spread of infection, care of patients and for the follow-up
of contacts.