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
Mitcham 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Mitcham]
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The following table gives details of notifications and the number of each age group immunised:-
| NOTIFICATIONS | DEATHS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age at date of notification. | Number of cases notified | Number of cases included in preceding column in which the patient had completed a full course of immunisation. | Age at date of death | Number of deaths | Number of cases included in preceding column in which the patient had completed a full course of immunisation. |
| Under 1 | 2 | — | Under 1 | — | — |
| 1 | — | 1 | — | — | |
| 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — |
| 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | — | - |
| 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | — | - |
| 5.9 | 11 | 4 | 5.9 | — | - |
| 10.14 | 1 | — | 10.14 | — | - |
| Over 14 | 5 | — | - | - | - |
| Totals | 32 | 10 | Totals | — | — |
The number of cases is a considerable decrease over 1945,
when 63 cases were notified. I believe that mild cases of diphtheria
occur in immunised children without being recognised by
the parents, and the child is allowed to return to school in a
highly infectious state. Fortunately they remain carriers for only
a short period, so that by the time the contact case is recognised
their swabs have become negative. Immunisation and reinforcing
doses were given to every child in the schools whose parents
gave consent.
Diphtheria Immunisation
Efforts have continued during the year to obtain the immunisation
of every child before his second birthday. A birthday
greeting letter is sent on the first birthday, making an appointment
for immunisation, and three clinics are available, so that
no mother is beyond easy walking distance of a clinic. The health
visitors have urged the mothers at the welfare centres, and when