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Of the above, three hundred and sixty-six individuals were
vaccinated or revaccinated by private practitioners.
Three hundred and ten of the persons vaccinated were under
one year of age.
ACUTE POLIOMYELITIS.
Fourteen cases of acute poliomyelitis were notified during the
year, eleven as paralytic and three as non-paralytic. This is the
largest number ever occurring in one year. Two deaths resulted, a
boy of six years and a married woman.
There was only one instance where a second case occurred in
the same household, but contrary to experience in previous years,
the cause of some of the cases was traced to contact with other
known cases.
MEASLES.
The number of cases of measles notified (244) was much lower
than in 1951. Six cases were removed to hospital. No deaths
occurred. Prophylactic serum for contacts, etc., was supplied to
all doctors on application.
WHOOPING COUGH.
The number of cases of whooping cough notified was 76.
No cases were removed to hospital and no deaths occurred.
The immunisation campaign against whooping cough which
was commenced in the Borough in February, 1951 was intensified
in August, 1952 when the County Scheme for the whole of Surrey
was implemented. Whooping cough is one of the most serious
diseases of childhood and mothers appreciate the facilities for
immunisation which are available. Fortunately the whooping
cough immunisation campaign has had a beneficial effect on the
diphtheria immunisation campaign because the prophylactic
material most commonly used gives combined protection against
both whooping cough and diphtheria. It is to be hoped that
whooping cough immunisation will prove as effective as immunisation
against diphtheria.
Details of the number of children immunised against whooping
cough during the year, are as follows:—
Primary immunisations carried out by
medical officer of health 257