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 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Carshalton]
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Poliomyelitis
As in the year before there was only one case of poliomyelitis. This
was a boy of 13 years who fell ill in June. He had received three anti-polio,
injections, two in March and a third in December 1958. The fact that he
developed no paralysis and made a rapid recovery after about three days, is
consistent with the analysed results of anti-polio, vaccination which shows
that paralysis—not infection—is about five times less common in vaccinated
than in unvaccinated individuals.
Poliomyelitis Vaccination.
The Ministry of Health's Scheme during 1959 covered the age range
from 6 months to 25 years and provided for a third injection for those
already having had two. The numbers over 15 years of age who accepted
treatment was not as high as one could wish, though a considerable measure
of success was secured when intensive and managerially supported efforts
were made in one or two of the local factories and the technical school,
when treatment was given on the premises.
The number of individuals vaccinated during the year was as follows:—
| No. who received their 2nd injection | No. given a 3rd injection | |
|---|---|---|
| Children over 6 months and born in 1943 to 1959 | 1,753 | — |
| Young persons born 1933 to 1942 | 2,135 | — |
| Expectant mothers | 302 | — |
| Special Groups (Ambulance men, Doctors etc | 1,009 | — |
| Totals | 5,199 | 6,804 |
The number vaccinated from the beginning of the scheme up to the 31st December, 1959 was as follows:—
| No. given 2 injections | No. of those in the previous column given a 3rd injection | |
|---|---|---|
| Children 0—15 | 10,446 | 9,671 |
| Young Persons 16—25 | 2,166 | |
| Expectant Mothers | 537 | |
| Special Groups | 1,131 | |
| Totals | 14,280 | 9,671 |
These figures do not include the staffs of hospitals.
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