§ Mr. JOHN WARDasked the Undersecretary of State for War how often His 2275W Majesty's soldiers in the British Isles are vaccinated or revaccinated; whether such repeated vaccination or re-vaccination renders them immune from small-pox; if not, why is it performed; but if it does render them immune from small-pox will he say why the residence in the married men's quarters of the barracks of unvaccinated children can in any way endanger such thoroughly protected men?
§ Colonel SEELYWith the exception of those bearing distinct marks of small-pox all recruits are vaccinated, unless in the case of a recruit joining from the special Reserve the operation is certified to have been successfully performed during his service in that force. Once a year, in March, medical officers are required to satisfy themselves that every man, woman, and child under their charge is sufficiently protected by vaccination. There has been only one admission to hospital for small-pox amongst the Army at home for the last five years, and that was in the case of a woman. It is well known that the period of immunity after vaccination or re-vaccination varies, and those individuals whose period of immunity commences to decline earlier than usual are liable to fall victims to the disease, as was the case with the woman mentioned. Accordingly owing to the chance of there being individuals present in barracks whose period of immunity is for various reasons declining or becoming evanescent, it is considered necessary that all persons living in or associated with barracks should be adequately protected against small-pox.