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In other words, contrary to the view of many people, the
removal of the requirement for compulsory vaccination has not
had an adverse effect on the acceptance rate and the 1956/57
figures show what can be achieved by propaganda.
The great value of vaccination before the age of one year
(say at four months) is less discomfort and less risk, and revaccination
performed in later life will have less discomfort and
less risk. The longer the period between vaccination and
re'vaccination, the greater the risk of a sore arm.
It must be remembered that to travel to certain foreign
countries an International Certificate is necessary stating that
vaccination has been performed within three years.
The most important reason, however, is that the only way
to offset the risk of repeated importation of smallpox from abroad
is by maintaining a well-vaccinated community. In these days of
air travel the risk can only be avoided by infant vaccination
followed by re-vaccination on entering and again on leaving school.
For members of the Armed Forces a routine is usually laid down,
e.g., re-vaccination at five-yearly intervals while on home service
and two-yearly intervals during the period of overseas service.
Doctors, nurses and public health inspectors likely to have to deal
at short notice with cases of smallpox should be regularly
vaccinated, and preferably annually.
Vaccination and Re-vaccination of Departmental Staff
The staff of the department and of the ambulance service,
especially those who would be expected to deal with smallpox in the
event of cases occurring, were again offered facilities for vaccination
and re-vaccination. The number vaccinated was 44. In
addition 45 members of the staff were vaccinated or re-vaccinated
following a case of notified smallpox.
Vaccinal Condition of Hospital Staff
By courtesy of the Secretary of the Hospital Management
Committee, information is available as to the vaccinal condition
of the staffs of the two hospitals in Walthamstow. The number
vaccinated was as follows:—
Of those now Of those now
employed No. employed No. No. re-
successfully vaccinated but vaccinated
No. now vaccinated not within during 6 mths.
employed within 3 yrs. 3 yrs. ended 30.9.57
Hospital "A" 222 176 — 176
Hospital "B" 82 42 34 13