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 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beddington and Wallington]
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The following table gives details of attendances:
| Total attendances | ||
|---|---|---|
| Irradiations | Corrective treatments | |
| Children, 0-5 years | 268 | 201 |
| Children, 5-15 years | 472 | 1,933 |
| Expectant and Nursing Mothers | 1 | 313 |
| 741 | 2,447 | |
Immunisation and Vaccination
This is one of the services transferred to the local Health Authority on
5th July, 1948. In Beddington and Wallington the work is conducted by
the Divisional Medical Officer. In addition, general practitioners have
been brought into the scheme and they forward returns of completed
cases ofimmunisation to the Divisional Medical Officer, for which they
receive a fee.
Smallpox Vaccination. During 1960, 348 persons including 300 children
under 5 years of age, were vaccinated and 58 persons were re-vaccinated,
at the weekly clinic held at the Town Hall, or by their general practitioner.
Diphtheria Immunisation. Four clinicsare heldweekly 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 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., 1960 | 1,830 | 4,600 | 6,430 |
| Number of children known to be immunised at 31st Dec., 1960 | 1,341 | 4,467 | 5,808 |
| Percentage of children immunised | 73.3 | 970 | 90.3 |
It is customary now to include immunisation against both whooping
cough and tetanus in the injection given to immunise against diphtheria.
Children immunised primarily against diphtheria, therefore, are automatically
immunised against whooping cough and tetanus at the same time.
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, 395 children were immunised at County
Council clinics or by their general practitioner.
Tetanus Immunisation. Children are immunised against Tetanus at County
Council clinics, or by their general practitioner. During 1960, 357 children
completed a primary course and 19 children received a reinforcing dose.
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