[Report 1960] / Medical Officer of Health, Northampton County Borough.
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Prevalence of, and control over, Infectious and other Diseases (<continued) Immunisation against Poliomyelitis. At the beginning of the year, in accordance with the scheme sponsored by the Ministry of Health, poliomyelitis immunisation was available to children and young persons born 1933 to 1959 and to expectant mothers. On 1st February, 1960, the Minister extended the scheme to include all persons who had not reached the age of 40 years at the date of registration. In an attempt to encourage this new group to take advantage of immunisation, a clinic was opened every Friday evening, commencing on 25th March, 1960, from 5.30 to 7,30 p.m. For a considerable period the attendances at these clinics were very good, but gradually the numbers declined until at the end of the year the clinic was only being used to give the booster (third) injection to persons who had attended earlier in the year for the initial injections. All these immunisations were carried out by medical officers assisted by health visitors, clinic nurses and clerks of the Health Depart¬ ment. The Minister of Health has indicated that persons over 40 years of age may be immunised by their own doctor, if it is considered advisable by the doctor. Arrangements also exist whereby eligible persons may be immunised by their own doctors, if desired. The following table gives the position at the end of 1960:— Table 10, Northampton C.B., 1960. Poliomyelitis Immunisation. Age Group Approx. Number in Age Group Number Immunised % of Age Group Immun¬ ised One Injection Two Injections Three Injections Total 1943-1960 24,500 159 2,037 18,437 20,633 84-21 1933-1942 12,000 118 1,245 4,910 6,273 52*27 1920-1932 27,000 73 2,415 1,224 3,712 13-74