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17
AUTHENTICATION OF VACCINATION AND INOCULATION CERTIFICATES
In several parts of the world certificates of vaccination and/or inoculation are not
accepted unless they are endorsed by a Medical Officer in the Government or Municipal Service
of the country of issue. The form of authentication which appears to be most readily
accepted by Health Authorities abroad is that given by Public Health Authorities, and identified
by a rubber stamp impression placed by them on the certificate* The Minister of
Health therefore has asked Local Authorities to make arrangements under which any person who
desires to have a certificate of vaccination or inoculation for the purpose of travel abroad
may have it stamped accordingly at the office of the Health Department.
The purpose of the authentication is to provide proof to those Health Authorities
abroad who desire it that the signature of the person issuing the certificate is that of a
registered medical practitioner Authenticators are not required to certify that the
vaccination or inoculation has been properly carried out or, indeed, that it has been
carried out at all; the for issuing the certificate remains with the Doctor
signing it, i
This does not imply any suggestion that a certificate of vaccination or inoculation
issued by a registered Medical Practitioner requires any official supervision or control in
order to be of adequate medical value, i Authentication is not a requirement of Her Majesty's
Government but the proposal is designed as a remedy for difficulties which have in practice
been met by persons from this country travelling abroad.
During the year a total of 395 certificates of vaccination and/or inoculation were
authenticated by the Medical Officer of Health.
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS
The following bacteriological examinations were carried out for the Council on speci
mens submitted by general practitioners and the Public Health Department during the year
Nose and Throat Swabs .. 68
Faeces .. .. . . 1,233
Urines .. .. 38
Miscellaneous .. .. 20
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
During the year 138 medical examinations were carried out. These included the examination
of new entrants to the Council's service and also the examination of both officers
and employees referred for special examination or superannuation purposes