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
Sutton and Cheam 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Sutton and Cheam]
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Immunisation againsi,Whooping Cough Immunisation against Whooping
Cough is available free of charge for chi ldren: under five years of,age
either through the family doctor or at Child Walfflre.Clinics Three injections
are given at monthly Intervals The injections are given either separately
or combined with immunisation against Diphtheria or preferably Diphtheria
and Tetanus In 1962, nine hundred and twenty five children received a
primary course of immunisation In addition, four hundred and nine
children were given reinforcing injections during the year
Smallpox No case was notified
Vaccinauon aga ns Smallpox The speed of travel has increased the
risk of Smallpox being imported Our protection depends on vaccination
There.is no drug which will cure the illness,, qlthaugh one is under trial
Vaccination is recommended in infancy before the age of two years and
provides a basal immunity which can be reinforced later with reduced
reaction Vaccination is voluntary and, as regwds infants and school
children, is free of charge and can be arranged through the family doctor
or at the nearest Child Welfare Centre Immunity should be reinforced by
re-vaccination between the age of eight and ten years
The following table shows the numbers of vaccinations during 1962. which were much higher than in previous years,.owing to the presence of Smallpox in this country in the early part of the year which caused an increased demand
| Age | Number Vaccinated | Number Re Vaccinated |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 | 650 | - |
| 1 | 118 | - |
| 2-4 | 230 | 56 |
| 5-14 | 620 | 762 |
| Over 15 | 430 | 920 |
| Totals | 2048 | 1738 |
The percentage of babies under the age of one year vaccinated during
the year was 57.1, compared with 61 0 in 1961 and 45 i in I960
' Puerpeital Pyrexia, Eleven cases were notified in 1962, compared with
six in 1961. No case occurred at home, Puerperal Pyrexia is any febrile
condition occurring in a woman in whom a temperature of 100 4° Fahrenheit
(38° Centigrade) or more has occurred within fourteen days after childbirth
or miscarriage".
Tetanus Tetanus immunisation is available free of charge as for
Diphtheria and Whooping Cough The tetanus bacillus is present in horse
manure and in manured land. Infection enters the body through contaminated
wounds and abrasions which may be so slight as to escape notice The
object of immunisation is to prepare the tissues in advance to resist the
tetanus bacillus Children are prone to abiaeions and should be protected
from the incidental risk of infection At.present lis a routine to inject
anti:tetanic serum after wounds This,serum occasionally causes
undesirable.allergic reactions,and its use. can be avoided by precautionary
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