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177
[1905
The Privy Council exercised jurisdiction until they were superseded by
the Local Government Board, who were appointed by the Local Government
Act of 1876, since which date this Board has supervised vaccinations.
Thus it has happened that the local administration of the vaccination laws
has remained in the hands of the Boards of Guardians.
Now, however, things are changed, as under, various Public Health Acts
there have grown up authorities whose main duty is to protect the health of
the people. It goes without saying that if these authorities had existed in the
early days of vaccination, they would have been appointed to enforce the laws
relating to it. At present, however, a change is not altogether easy, although
it has been foreshadowed recently, and it might be expensive, because it would
mean compensation to the Vaccination Officers and Public Vaccinators
throughout the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, the writer has always considered
that the Public Health Authorities should be the administrators of the
vaccination laws, because they are the natural guardians of the public against
infectious diseases, and, therefore, they should possess the command of all the
means whereby these diseases can be prevented. This is particularly necessary
when Small Pox is epidemic, because in putting a period to the outbreak a great
deal depends at such a time on the action or inaction of the Board of
Guardians, to whom the safe-guarding of the public health does not appeal so
forcibly as to the authority specially appointed for the purpose. At such times
the difference of opinion as to the steps necessary to be taken with respect to
vaccination is apt to cause serious harm and, indeed, such difficulties have
occured before now between the two bodies, with results unfavourable to the
public welfare.
On careful consideration of this matter, no sufficiently strong reason can
be alleged why the administration of the vaccination laws should not be placed
in the hands of the public health authorities, while on the other hand both
reason and common sense indicate that they should possess them.
The appointment in large towns of a Medical Vaccination Officer at a
fixed salary, who shall give the whole of his time to the duty.
There can be no doubt that if Sanitary Authorities were given the
administration of the Vaccination Acts the work could be done at a lesser cost,
and just as well as at present, by one or more specially appointed officers,
devoting the whole of their time to their duties, and paid a fixed salary.
The matter requires no argument, particularly as in all vhe largest towns
there would be sufficient work for at least one officer, if not more.
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