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 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Mitcham]
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42
Smallpox
At the beginning of the year there was an outbreak in various
parts of England but there were no cases notified in Mitcham although
there were six contacts kept under surveillance. The last case was
in 1932.
Vaccination Against Smallpox
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 | 562 | 90 | 183 778 | 250 | 1,863 |
| Number re-vaccinated | — | 2 | 48 545 | 456 | 1,051 |
| Percentage of children vaccinated against smallpox. | |||||
| Age at 31.12.62 (born in: -) | Under 1 1962 | 1-4 1961-1958 | 5-9 1957-1953 | 10-14 1952-1948 | Total |
| Number of children who | 562 | 2,635 | 2,657 | 2,462 | 8,316 |
| have received smallpox vaccination Estimated child population (mid-year) | 912 | 3,588 | 4,351 | 4,925 | 13,776 |
| Percentage of children vaccinated against smallpox | 61.61 | 73.4 | 60.8 | 50.0 | 60.4 |
* During the year the schedule of vaccination and immunisation
was varied and the suggested age for first smallpox vaccination was
nine months with implications that it might be increased to over one
year.
For thesis purposes an investigation was made by an Assistant
Medical Officer of Health into the state of vaccination against
smallpox in Mitcham over a period of six years ending on December,
1961.
It is perhaps worthy to record some of the findings.
Most primary vaccinations in England have been done for many
decades in babies under 1 year, which has been the basis of the index
of vaccination used by the Ministry of Health.
1. In Mitcham in 1961 75 per cent, of all babies under 1 year
were vaccinated, compared to 41 per cent, in England and