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65
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
During the year, there were changes in national policy concerning
infectious disease control. In July 1971, the Joint Committee on Vaccination
and Immunisation issued its recommendation regarding the
indications for offering vaccination against smallpox. It expressed the
opinion that, whilst vaccination remains the most reliable measure for
the protection of individuals liable to be exposed to this disease, nevertheless
the small but definite risk of serious complications contra-indicate
the offering of vaccination to all persons as a routine measure at a time
when the smallpox eradication programme of the World Health Organisation
has made remarkable progress. In the light of this opinion Harrow,
in concert with other local health authorities, gave notice that vaccination
against smallpox would no longer be offered as a routine measure. At the
same time, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation
recommended that certain people should continue to be protected, e.g.,
health service staff and overseas travellers to and from certain countries.
The second national policy change was contained in Circular 55/71
issued by the Department of Health and Social Security in November.
This stated that prophylactic vaccination against rabies should be offered
to all persons who are exposed in the course of their work to special risk
of contracting this disease. There are only a few hundred such persons
affected in the country and these include those working :
(a) at quarantine kennels approved by the Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food for the accommodation of imported dogs
and cats;
(b) at quarantine premises in zoos and other establishments;
(c) by carrying agents authorised to carry these animals;
(d) at approved research and acclimatisation centres where primates
and other imported mammals are housed;
(e) at ports with regular traffic in imported animals.
No such place of employment exists in Harrow.