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this country and 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.
Owing to the presence of cases of smallpox in this country early in
1962, various European countries imposed a new requirement that
passengers proceeding from the United Kingdom should possess current
International Certificates of Vaccination. During the months of January,
February and March, 1962, 10,672 such certificates were submitted to
the Westminster Health Department for authentication, throwing an
additional burden on the clerical staff. Fortunately, the requirement
was relaxed before the summer, and the number of certificates for
authentication returned to the normal average of about 400 per month.
Altogether, 16,206 certificates were authenticated during 1962,
compared with 4,617 in the previous year.
The Medical Officer of Health also issues, on request and in appropriate
circumstances, certificates to the effect that no cases of smallpox have
occurred in the district during the preceding two weeks. These certificates
are sought by persons proceeding to the United States of America
who do not wish to submit to vaccination. It is understood that the
United States immigration authorities reserve the right to place such
persons under surveillance notwithstanding the production of such a
certificate.
Twenty of these certificates were issued during 1962, compared with
51 in the previous year. This drop in the number of certificates issued
arose from the presence of cases of smallpox in this country early in 1962,
when the United States immigration authorities refused to accept such
certificates.
Infectious Diseases—Compensation for Stopping Employment
Insured persons who are excluded from work by reason of having
been in contact with an infectious disease, can obtain benefit under the
National Insurance Act, 1946. This benefit in most cases is less than
the normal earnings of the person excluded from work, so that some
hardship has been occasioned in the past.
Section 26 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act,
1959, provides that if a Medical Officer of Health requests a person to
discontinue his employment with a view to preventing the spread of
an infectious disease, a Borough Council may, if they think fit, compensate
such person for any loss occasioned by complying with the request.
It was not necessary to take action under this section during 1962.