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Distribution of Smallpox Vaccine
In accordance with the Ministry of Health Circular 6/67 the Public Health
Laboratory Service ceased to distribute supplies of vaccine direct to hospitals and
general practitioners from the 12th June.
Instead, manufacturing laboratories supplied local health authorities who were
then responsible for its distribution to hospitals and general practitioners in accordance
with their requirements.
For this purpose three lymph collection centres were prepared and set up in
the borough at the Central Clinic, Edmonton; the Town Hall, Palmers Green; and
the Health Office. If requested, the lymph is sent by post.
Vaccination of Staff
It is important to ensure that persons most liable to come into contact with
an undiagnosed case of smallpox and those required to deal with an outbreak
should maintain a high level of immunity. Included in this category among Health
Department staff are doctors, nurses, health visitors, public health inspectors and
disinfectors together with their immediate families. The practice of offering and
encouraging vaccination annually was continued, and during the year 48 members
of the staff were vaccinated.
Certain categories of council staff, e.g. labourers, gardeners, motor mechanics
and sewage and refuse disposal workers, because of the nature of their work are
particularly exposed to the risk of developing tetanus following injury — even quite
minor lacerations. The council again continued to offer vaccination against tetanus
to these groups and by the end of the year 134 staff had commenced a course of
immunisation.
International Certificates of Vaccination
Three forms of International Certificates of Vaccination have been prescribed,
namely, for smallpox, cholera and yellow fever.
Yellow fever vaccination must, for international and technical reasons, be
carried out at centres designated by the Government, and International Certificates
of Vaccination against yellow fever are supplied at those centres.
Vaccination against any disease other than yellow fever may be performed by
a person's own doctor. The International Certificates against smallpox and cholera
must be obtained by the traveller himself and taken to the doctor for completion.
These forms are usually obtainable, free of charge, from the company arranging
the traveller's transport, or otherwise from the Ministry of Health.
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