HC Deb 13 March 1919 vol 113 cc1455-6
34. Mr. F. GREEN

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Government are prepared to guarantee that the lymph issued by them for public vaccination purposes will not produce unintended complications; and, in the event of such complications arising, will they consider the advisability of giving compensation to the sufferers?

Mr. PRATT

The lymph issued from the Government lymph establishment to public vaccinators is prepared by methods which prevent it from being contaminated by septic organisms. In the relatively rare cases where vaccination is complicated by the occurrence of septic conditions, the complications usually result from accidental infection of the vaccinated surface, and are not attributable to the lymph. I cannot accept the principle that compensation should be paid by the Government in cases where complications arise after vaccination.