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3. I have become acquainted with serious irregularities in the
mode of vaccination in a neighbouring parish, which I mention here
because the subject we are discussing is of universal interest, and because
neglect in one section of the community affects the safety of the rest.
I am informed that there are druggists who vaccinate extensively ; and
that the vaccinations, they perform, if certified at all, are certified by
others who, in many instances, have no personal knowledge of the cases.
In this and other ways, a vast amount of defective vaccination exists,
which is the source of great danger to the community.
Some machinery for ensuring re-vaccination is necessary.
4. In Ireland there is as yet no Registration Act; in Scotland
the Registration Act has been only a few years in operation ; and in both
these parts of the empire the provisions for extending vaccination are
more defective than even in England. Owing to the continual migrations
taking place between all parts of the country, un-vaccinated persons
frequently settle in London. This is a source of danger against which it
is very difficult to guard. These persons quite escape the ordinary
provisions. As an instance I may cite a case in which the parents of a
child two years old were summoned before a Justice for refusing to have
it vaccinated. The Justice objected to take an information because the
time (three or four months after birth) had elapsed.
Inspection of Schools and other places where young people are
congregated should be performed systematically.
The following suggestions for securing more complete vaccination
were embodied in a Special Report presented by me to your Parliamentary
Committee.
1. That the Registration of the Births of all children be made
compulsory.
2. That the parents or guardians of all children vaccinated by
private medical attendants be made answerable for the return of a
certificate of vaccination to the Registrar of the District in which
the children are born.