HC Deb 03 July 1950 vol 477 cc8-9W
Mr. Viant

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the date on which the 11-months-old baby who died in the smallpox hospital at Glasgow on 3rd April was vaccinated; and whether the vaccination was performed before she was taken to the smallpox hospital, or afterwards.

Mr. McNeil

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 29th June.

Mr. Viant

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what records he has concerning the re-vaccination in 1946 of one of the nurses who developed smallpox in the Glasgow outbreak, and of the re-vaccination in 1946 of the doctor whose mild attack of smallpox is included in the list of cases in the report by doctors Laidlaw and Horne.

Mr. McNeil

The hospital records show that vaccination of the nurse was attempted unsuccessfully in 1946. There is no similar record for the doctor, the exact nature of whose illness remains in doubt, but he has stated that he vaccinated himself in 1946 and on numerous other occasions.

Mr. Viant

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that a 17-year-old part-time nurse who died during the Glasgow smallpox outbreak had been vaccinated on seven occasions, three times in infancy, twice in 1949 and again on 26th March and 29th March; whether in the case of three unsuccessful vaccinations in infancy a certificate of insusceptibility was given; and whether insusceptibility to vaccination is considered equivalent to insusceptibility to smallpox

Mr. McNeil

I am aware that vaccination of this nurse, who was a full-time employee of the hospital, was attempted on the occasions stated. A certificate of insusceptibility was given in infancy. It cannot be said that insusceptibility to vaccination at one time is equivalent to permanent insusceptibility to smallpox.

Mr. Viant

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the three nurses who died of smallpox during the Glasgow outbreak had been offered vaccination on their appointment to the nursing staff.

Mr. McNeil

There is no definite record that vaccination was offered to these nurses. The recent instructions to hospitals, announced in another place on 22nd June, will secure that this is always done in this kind of hospital, and that adequate records are kept.

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