London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Beddington and Wallington 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beddington and Wallington]
This page requires JavaScript
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 1961, 369 persons including 344 children
under 5 years of age, were vaccinated and 87 persons were re-vaccinated,
at the weekly clinic held at the Town Hall, or by their general practitioner.
Diphtheria Immunisation. Five clinicsare heldweekly to give immunisation
against diphtheria. These are held at each of the four 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., 1961 | 1,880 | 4,420 | 6,300 |
| Number of children known to be immunised at 31st Dec., 1961 | 1,482 | 4,206 | 5,699 |
| Percentage of children immunised | 78.8 | 951 | 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, 417 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 1961, 422 children
completed a primary course and 81 children received a reinforcing dose.
24