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
Beddington and Wallington 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beddington and Wallington]
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Immunisation Against Diphtheria
Four clinics are held weekly to give immunisation against diphtheria.
These are held at each of the three Infant Welfare Centres and at the
Medical Officer of Health's Department at the Town Hall.
The following table gives the number of children residing in the Borough who were treated during the year and the number of children known to be immunised in both age groups:
| 0-5 years | 5-15 years | Total 0-15 years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approximate number of children in the Borough at 31st Dec., 1952 | 2,092 | 4,759 | 6,851 |
| Children who completed full course of immunisation during the year | 299 | 94 | 393 |
| Number of children who received reinforcing injections during the year | 456 | 456 | |
| Number of children known to be immunised at 31st Dec., 1952 | 1,138 | 3,833 | 4,971 |
Alum precipitated toxoid (A.P.T.) is provided free from the Government's
Central Laboratories and has been used throughout the year in
our immunisation scheme. No cases of illness have resulted from the
injections and no child has been prevented from following his daily
routine on treatment days.
This is one of the services transferred to the local health authority on
5th July, 1948. In addition to the work conducted by the Divisional
Medical Officer, general practitioners have been brought into the scheme,
and they forward returns of completed cases of immunisation to the
Divisional Medical Officer, for which they receive a fee.
Whooping Cough Immunisation
This service was continued throughout the year by the local health
authority, to whom it was transferred on the 5th July, 1948. During the
year, 107 children were immunised.
In the later months of the year, owing to great improvements in the
preparation of whooping-cough vaccine, it was decided to introduce a
mixed vaccine useful against both whooping-cough and diphtheria. This
mixed vaccine will be used exclusively in future, all children thus being
doubly immunised. This service continues to be offered free of charge
to the public.
In addition, notifications have been received from general practitioners
of 88 children receiving this immunisation at their hands.
School Clinics
With the coming into operation of the 1944 Education Act, the
Medical Officer of Health was appointed in September, 1945, Divisional
Medical Officer for the Beddington and Wallington half of the MidEastern
Divisional Executive of the County of Surrey. School clinics
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