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 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Carshalton]
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Poliomyelitis
Although the prevalence of this virus infection had been declining
since vaccination was first introduced, 1960 was the first year since the
epidemic of 1947 when no cases were notified.
Poliomyelitis Vaccination.
Early in February the Ministry of Health gave authority for the
extension of the Scheme of polio, vaccination for priority groups to
include all persons who have not at the time of application reached the
age of 40 and also to the following special groups:—
Persons going to visit or reside in a country outside Europe, other
than Canada or the United States of America.
Practising dental surgeons, dental students, dental hygienists, student
hygienists, dental surgeons' chairside assistants, and their families.
Practising nurses not working in hospitals (those working in hospital
are already eligible) and their families.
Public health staff who might come into contact with poliomyelitis
cases, and their families.
Authority was also given to general practitioners in December to
vaccinate persons outside the above mentioned priority groups, the
vaccine for these being supplied through the National Health Service
Pharmaceutical Services on prescription.
The number of individuals vaccinated during the year either through the Authority's service or by general practitioners was as follows:—
| No. who received their 2nd injection | No. given a 3rd injection | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Children over 6 months and born in 1943 to 1960 | 753 | 5105 | |
| Young persons born 1933 to 1942 | 227 | ||
| Persons born before 1933 | 984 | ||
| Others | 67 | ||
| Totals | 2031 | 5105 | |
The number vaccinated from the beginning of the scheme up to the 31st December, 1960, was as follows:—
| No. given 2 injections | No. in previous column given 3rd injection | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born in 1943-1960 | 11199 | 11909 | |
| Born in 1933-1942 | 2393 | ||
| Born 1932 and earlier | 984 | ||
| Special groups | 1378 | ||
| Totals | 15954 | 11909 | |
These figures do not include the staffs of hospitals.
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