View report page

28
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.
Thirty-six of these certificates were issued during 1963, compared
with 20 in the previous year.
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 1963.