VACCINATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1929, Page 6

VACCINATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN

AUCKLAND PARENT’S COMPLAINT. AUCKLAND, December IS. Investigations have been made by tin* Auckland Education Board into a complaint by a parent in a country district that his child had contracted influenza following vaccination by the school medical officer. “Children are not going to get Hie benefit of education if they are to be laid up by tommy-rot vaccination,” « the p ~o.it in objecting to the treatment being carried on without Id.-, consent. <■]; our practice in districts which are subject to typhoid to vaccinate all .Maoris agitinst the disease,” reported the Medical Officer of Health Dr H. A. Chesson), when the case was directed to his attention. R,\ this metuis we have •considerably modified the incidence of the diesase whereas it was formerly quite a common tiling to have extensive outbreaks of typhoid amongst the Maori cases, and those usually in individuals who have escaped or evaded vaccination. We never vaccinate any child whose parents object to the treatment or any adult who does not voluntarily submit. AYith the Maori we have to presume there will he no objection unless it is specifically stated, hut with the Eu no roan we obtain the consent beforehand. I am making enquiries into this specific case. It is, of course, most unfortunate that any parent should he so ill-advised as to object to precautions taken by tlic Department to check the spread of the disease and to protect the child accordingly.” The letter from the Medical Officer was received.