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After describing the present method of securing vaccination,
and the machinery available for 'putting the same into effect, the
impracticability of enforcing recalcitrant Boards to carry out the
work is dealt with, and suggestions to place the work of vaccination
in the hands of, or under the immediate control of, County
Councils and (or) the Loca.l Government Board are considered and
rejected. Having pointed out that it is in England and Wales only
that the practice of vaccination has declined, the Scotch system of securing
vaccination is considered, and certain particulars deemed to be
superior to the English practice are dwelt on. Emphasis is laid on
the fact that the former system appears to discriminate between the
"honest objectors" and 44 defaulters," and on the advantages of
home vaccination and inspection. Desiring to differentiate between
the objector and the defaulter, the Commissioners suggest that pome
system should be devised to relieve the former of further compulsion.
"After careful consideration and much study of the subject, we have
arrived at the conclusion that it would conduce to increased vaccination
if a scheme could be devised which would preclude the
attempt (so often a vain one) to compel those who are honestly
opposed to the practice to submit their children to vaccination, and,
at the same time, leave the law to operate, as at present, to prevent
children remaining unvaccinated owing to the neglect or indifference
of the parent. . . (Par 524.)
4i It must of course be a necessary condition of a scheme of this description
that it should be such as would prevent an objection to the
practice being alleged merely as an excuse to save the trouble connected
with the vaccination of the child" (Par 525.)
The adoption of the Scotoh system, on a wider basis, is recommended.
"We think that where a certificate of successful vaccination is not
received within the prescribed time, a notice should be served upon
the parent that a public vaccinator will attend on a day named for
the purpose of vaccinating the child, unless the operation has been
already performed, and that the only offence rendering the parent
liable to prosecution should be the refusal to permit the child to be
vaccinated by the public vaccinator when he attends for that
purpose." (Par 529.)
It is suggested that every medical practitioner should receive
fees from the Stale for successful vaccinations performed according
to the rule prescribed by the Local Government Board, subject to
such official inspection of his patients as way be deemed necessary.