asked the Minister for Local Government, whether, in view of the recent outbreak of smallpox in England, and the arrival from there at the Port of Cobh last week, of a person so affected, he will consider the necessity of enforcing the provisions of the Vaccination Acts.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - VACCINATION ACTS ENFORCEMENT.
The necessity of enforcing the provisions of the Vaccination Acts in this country has never been overlooked. The duty of enforcing these Acts is one, in the first instance, for the Board of Guardians in counties in which amalgamation of Unions has not been carried out, and for the Rural District Councils in other counties. During the recent troubles vaccination was somewhat neglected in certain districts of An Saorstát, but with the return of more settled conditions the duty and necessity of securing compliance with the existing Acts has been consistently urged on the authorities, in most instances successfully.
It became clear last autumn, with the increasing prevalence of small-pox in England, that this country must be prepared to face a possible invasion of the disease. Warning was accordingly given to the Medical Officers of the ports and of the other principal districts having cross-Channel lines of communication. These officers are also supplied week by week with summarised details of the known incidence of small-pox. The vaccination authorities throughout Saorstát Eireann were advised of the danger and were urged to activity in carrying out primary vaccination.
In one or two districts the number of vaccination defaulters is still unduly high, but the matter is being carefully watched. If the local authorities fail to take adequate measures to ensure the safety of the public health of their district, the necessary steps will be taken to compel them to do so.
On the 10th instant the Ministry was informed of a suspected case of small-pox in Cobh. On the same date a definite diagnosis was asked for and instructions as to precautions were sent. On the 12th it was reported to be a definite case. On the following day a Medical Inspector of the Ministry visited Cobh, investigated the case, and took all necessary precautionary measures.
Arising out of that answer, may I ask the Minister if he would take note of the fact that a large body of medical opinion is opposed to vaccination altogether, and that a large number of parents are opposed to having their children vaccinated as well; and will he consider the advisability of giving to their parents the same power of avoiding this operation as English parents have?
The matter will have the attention of the Department.