ANTI-SMALLPOX PRECAUTIONS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27644, 28 April 1955, Page 6

ANTI-SMALLPOX PRECAUTIONS

VACCINATION OF NURSES DEBATED

It had been suggested that the board should not follow Auckland in making vaccination against smallpox compulsory for all nursing entrants but it was laughable to say that such compulsion would cost the board recruits, said Mr J. J. Brownlee at a meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday. The board was discussing a request from the Director-General of Health (Dr. J. Cairney) that all hospital staff who might be called on tor duties if a smallpox case a-rived m Christchurch from the international airport, should be vaccinated. The board’s hospital committee reported that the Medical Superintendent (Dr. T. Morton) had arranged for a number of house surgeons and members of the nursing staff to be vaccinated.

Dr. L. C. L. Averill said it was necessary to have sufficient staff vaccinated against smallpox. “I seem to be guilty today of making fatuous remarks, according to Mr Brownlee.” said Dr. Morton. “I know there are anti-vaccinationists among parents and I feel sure we would lose a number of nursing recruits were vaccination compulsory. The real onus of compulsory vaccination should rest with the Health Department, and not with the board. If the risk is put to reasonable people, they will take precautions.” Mr Brownlee moved that the matter be referred back to the hospital committee, to obtain the opinion of the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. D. P. Kennedy) on compulsory vaccination. Other speakers said the board had already done what had been asked of it Dr. Morton said Dr. Kennedy, opinion was that all nurse entrants should be vaccinated. He disagreed with Dr. Kennedy. Mr Brownlee's motion was lost.