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
Carshalton 1945
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Carshalton]
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During the course of investigation into cases, eight " carriers"
of diphtheria organisms were found.
The number of swabs examined for diphtheria during the year
was 217, of which 19 were positive.
128,000 units of anti-toxic serum were issued to practitioners.
Diphtheria Immunisation.
A further 1,077 children under 15 years of age completed a full course of immunising injections during the year as follows:—
| Age Groups. | Total. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 0—5 | 5—15 | ||
| At Council Clinics | 743 | 21 | 764 |
| In Carshalton Schools | 73 | 5 | 78 |
| By Private Practitioners | 4 | 236 | 240 |
| 820 | 262 | 1082 | |
| 17 | 35 | 52 | |
| 26 | 21 | 47 | |
| Carshalton Residents | 829 | 248 | 1077 |
In order to maintain a high level of immunity single reinforcing
doses are advisable after an interval. It is very desirable that
children who receive their original treatment in infancy should have
immunity reinforced at the time of their entry to school. This policy
has been pursued locally, and school children in the infant departments
have been offered these further injections after an interval
of three years. During the year 841 children received a reinforcing
dose of diphtheria prophylactic under the scheme.
The position with regard to immunisation at December 31st, 1945, was as follows:—
| Age Groups. | Total. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 | 5—15 | ||
| Estimated number of children resident in the district | 3,850 | 10,930 | 14,780 |
| Number immunised at 31st December | 2,244 | 8,145 | 10,389 |
| Percentage immunised | 58 | 75 | 70 |
The material used was A.P.T. in two doses of 0.5 c.c., at approximately
a month's interval.
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