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 1964
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Mitcham]
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33.
SMALLPOX
There were no oases or direct contacts in 1964. The last case was in
1932.
Thirteen visits were made to un-vaccinated passengers on a cruise liner
which made an un-scheduled stop at a port where smallpox is endemic.
VACCINATION AGAINST SMALLPOX
Number vaccinated in 1964
| Age at date of vaccination | Under 1 | 1 | 2-4 | 5-14 | 15 or over | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary vaccinations | 31 | 499 | 26 | 5 | 2 | 563 |
| Revaccinations | - | - | 4 | 5 | 5 | 14 |
SCARLET FEVER
The number of cases of scarlet fever notified during the year was 30
as compared with 28 in 1963, equivalent to a case rate of 0.48 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 fifteenth year in succession,
whereas cases used to average 60 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 give the triple antigen against
diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus.
The following table shows the number of children immunised and reinforced
against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus in 1964.