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 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Mitcham]
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41
Smallpox
No case of smallpox was notified during the year 1960. The
last case was in 1932.
The following table shows the number vaccinated during the
year: —
| Age at date of vaccination | Under 1 | 1 | 2-4 | 5-14 | 15 or over | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number vaccinated | 643 | 13 | 16 | 3 | 26 | 701 |
| Number re-vaccinated | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 46 | 52 |
Over the last five years an average of 75 per cent. of the children
born each year have been vaccinated.
Scarlet Fever
The number of cases of scarlet fever notified during the year
was 24 as compared with 69 in 1959, equivalent to a case rate of
0.37 per 1,000 population. This disease has continued mild in
character. Of the total number of cases notified one was treated in
hospital and 23 were treated at home.
Diphtheria
No case of diphtheria was notified for the eleventh year in
succession, whereas cases used to average sixty per year.
Immunisation and reinforcing doses were available to every
child whose parents gave consent.
Diphtheria Immunisation
There are five clinics within relatively easy reach of everyone,
as well as immunisation sessions held in the schools.
Efforts have continued during the year to obtain the immunisation
of every child before the first birthday. The health visitors urge
mothers at the welfare centres, and at home visits, to have their
children immunised, making special visits in difficult cases.
The following figures show the number of children immunised
and reinforced during the year (this includes those children
who received the triple—diphtheria—whooping cough—tetanus—
antigen):—