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 1963
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Mitcham]
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41
Smallpox
There were no cases or contacts in 1963. The last case was in
1932.
Vaccination Against Smallpox
Number vaccinated in 1963.
| Age at date of vaccination. | Under 1 | 1 | 2-4 | 5-14 | 15 or over | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary vaccinations | 90 | 130 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 244 |
| Revaccinations | — | — | 6 | 13 | 27 | 46 |
The following table shews the number of children who have received smallpox vaccination and the percentage of children vaccinated:—
| Age at 31.12.63 (born in:—) | Under 1 | 1-4 | 5-9 | 10-14 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | 1962-1959 | 1958-1954 | 1953-1949 | ||
| Number of children who | 90 | 2,519 | 2,398 | 2,552 | 7,559 |
| have received smallpox vaccination | |||||
| Estimated child population (mid-year) | 482 | 3,564 | 4,198 | 4,394 | 12,643 |
| Percentage of children vaccinated against smallpox | 18.7 | 70.6 | 56.9 | 58.1 | 59.8 |
Routine vaccination of babies is now carried out in their second
year following a recommendation by the Ministry of Health.
Scarlet Fever
The number of cases of scarlet fever notified during the year
was 28 as compared with 34 in 1962, equivalent to a case rate of
0.44 per 1,000 population. This disease has continued mild in
character. Two cases were removed to hospital.
Diphtheria
No case of diphtheria was notified for the fourteenth year in
succession, whereas cases used to average 60 per year.
Immunisation and reinforcing doses were available to every child
whose parents gave consent.