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 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Mitcham]
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41
Smallpox
No case of smallpox was notified during the year 1961. 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 | 679 | 24 | 20 | 27 | 36 | 786 |
| Number re-vaccinated | — | — | 7 | 12 | 67 | 86 |
During the year 75 per cent, of babies under one year of age
were vaccinated and over the last five years an average of 72 per
cent, as against 41 per cent, for England and Wales in 1960 and about
the same level for the previous years.
The bulk of vaccinations are carried out in the clinics, 77 per
cent, of babies under one year being done by the assistant medical
officers.
Scarlet Fever
The number of cases of scarlet fever notified during the year
was 32 as compared with 24 in 1960, equivalent to a case rate of
0.50 per 1,000 population. This disease has continued mild in
character. All cases were treated at home.
Diphtheria
No case of diphtheria was notified for the twelfth year in
succession, whereas cases used to average sixty per year.
Immunisation and reinforcing doses were available to every child
whose parents gave consent.
Immunisation Against Diphtheria, Whooping Cough
and Tetanus
There are five clinics within relatively easy reach of everyone,
as well as immunisation sessions held in the schools.
Every effort is made to have as many babies as possible
immunised before their first birthday, the policy nowadays being to