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
Hackney 1943
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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25
Diphtheria, Immunisation. — The active immunisation of
persons against diphtheria has been available for Hackney residents
since January, 1928. Weekly sessions are held at three clinics and
the Council pays the fees of 30 local medical practitioners who
administer immunising injections under the Council's scheme.
These practitioners immunised 284 children during the year.
The following table gives particulars of the work carried out under the scheme since 1928 :—
| Year, | No. of New Cases. | Sohick Tested. | Commenced treatment without Schick Test. | Naturally Immune. | Immunised. | Discontinued treatment and struck off Register. | No. under treatment at end of year. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool Age. | School Age. | Adults. | Pre-School Age. | School Age. | Adults | ||||||
| 1928 to 1940 | 11954 | 2169 | 5716 | 222 | 3847 | 1637 | 4378 | 3625 | 48 | 1903 | 355 |
| 1941 | 1972 | 41 | 880 | 73 | 978 | 316 | 1015 | 669 | 35 | 141 | 151 |
| 1942 | 4581 | 59 | 1739 | 65 | 2718 | 597 | 2076 | 1586 | 10 | 97 | 366 |
| 1943 | 3484 | 52 | 1046 | 7 | 2379 | 268 | 1950 | 1154 | 5 | 164 | 309 |
It is estimated that by the end of the year 49.4 per cent. of the
children under school age and 36.0 per cent. of the children of school
age had been immunised against diphtheria.
A statement by the Medical Officer of the Clinics follows:—
Diphtheria immunisation was carried on as vigorously as ever in the Borough
during 1943. The number of new cases treated at the three clinics was 3,484—
somewhat lower than in 1942.
The modified technique of three injections with toxoid antitoxin mixture
was used as before and again there were no complaints as to local or general
reactions. The conversion rate with this antigen was 96.2 per cent., not quite so
high as we used to get but very pleasing on the whole.
During the year there were seven immunised and tested cases reported to
have developed diphtheria, but on investigation only three of them showed
signs of clinical diphtheria; none was severe and all recovered completely.
The other four were cases of tonsillitis or carriers.
One hundred and fifty-one children were re-tested two years after immunisation
and thirteen (8.6 per cent.) were found to have lost their immunity and
had to be re-immunised. This shows the importance of having children re-tested
every two years until they reach the age of ten.
The general practitioners' scheme is still a great help. These doctors
immunised 284 children during the year.
Again I wish to thank the Public Health Department for all their kind
co-operation and the nursing and clerical staff for their excellent help.