[Report 1958] / School Medical Officer of Health, Norfolk County Council.

  • Norfolk (England). County Council.
Date:
1958
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1958] / School Medical Officer of Health, Norfolk County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    22/34 (page 18)
    VIII. VACCINATION AGAINST SMALLPOX. 105 children between the ages of 5 and 14 were vaccinated during the year and 90 were re-vaccinated. IX. DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION. No case of diphtheria occurred among school children in the county during the year. 173 children of school age were primarily immunised during the year and 920 were given “ booster ” injections. These figures are less than one- third of the comparable figures for 1957 which were themselves much lower than those for the preceding year. Of the 58,800, children of school age in the county, only 24,082 (40.95%) who have had the appropriate injections within the last five years are deemed to be fully protected. 20,771 (35.32%), immunised prior to 1954, have only partial protection, not having had the necessary re-inforcing injections. The marked decline from 57.5 in 1955 to 40.95 in 1958 in the percentage of children protected is a matter of consider¬ able concern, but the drop in numbers immunised can be attributed in large part to the intensive poliomyelitis vaccination campaign. X. VACCINATION AGAINST POLIOMYELITIS. In September, 1958, the Ministry of Health extended the age groups eligible for vaccination so as to include young persons in the 16-25 age group, and also announced the introduction of a third injection to be given not less than seven months after the initial two. At the end of the year 13,930 persons, mainly children 2-5 years of age, had had their three injections; a further 4-TI 59,3#f children (had Ibeen given two injections; 1,429 had received one injection and 1,913 were awaiting vaccination. Thus, of the eligible child population of the county, nearly S8’g4 had completed, or were completing, the full vaccination course, and a further 2% had registered. This is a very high proportion of the child population and is very gratifying. XI. PREVENTION OF TUBERCULOSIS—B.C.G. VACCINATION. B.C.G. vaccination is available for all children in their fourteenth year, subject to the consent of parents. 4,286 children were skin tested, 3,349 were found to be suitable for vaccination, and 3,278 were vaccinated. In addition, 323 contacts of tuberculous patients were also vaccinated. XII. SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES AT SCHOOLS. Investigations were made concerning the provision of mains water to eight schools. At seven schools investigations were made as to drainage and sewage disposal conditions. At two schools general investigations were made concerning nuisances from refuse, animals, etc. In regard to 22 schools, following inspections, recommendations were forwarded to the Chief Education Officer concerning heating, lighting, venti¬ lation, washing or closet accommodation facilities. XHI. SCHOOL MEALS SERVICE. During the year, 226 inspections of foodstuffs were made at school canteens. As a result, quantities of various commodities were found to be unfit for human consumption. Where applicable, suitable action was taken with the suppliers concerned and liaison maintained with the appropriate local