NOTES AND STATISTICS
ON
VACCINATION IN BURMA
FOR THE YEAR 1906-1907.
Statement
No. II.
The total strength of the establishment during 1906-07 consisted of 32
Native Superintendents and 244 Vaccinators. Ten of the former receive their pay
from Government, and 22 from local authorities.
2. Twenty-six Native Superintendents of Vaccination underwent a course of
training at the Meiktila Vaccine Depôt. Of these, 20 passed their examination
successfully, and they were duly posted to their districts; so that, at the present
time, of the total districts 13 still remain without the supervision of a subordinate
inspecting officer. This is a defect that obviously requires remedy. Under my
predecessor Colonel Little's scheme, which was given effect to by the entertain-
ment of the extra Native Superintendents referred to, it was hoped that Burmans
could be induced to join for training as probationers on a stipend of Rs. 10. So
far this effort has proved unsuccessful, as only four men joined during the year.
In view of the existing small pay allowed, the present class of vaccinator is very
inferior in general education and trustworthiness.
Statement
No. IV.
3. The following table exhibits the amount of primary vaccination as fulfilled
by the various agencies :—
By Government
Vaccinators.
Total.
1
126,106
Success-
ful.
2
111,283
By Municipal
Vaccinators.
Total.
3
59,352
Success-
ful.
4
48,431
By Local Fund
Vaccinators.
Total.
5
167,418
Success-
ful.
6
148,271
By Native
States.
Total.
7
6,833
Success-
ful.
8
5,739
D ispensary
Vaccination.
Total.
9
10,690
Success-
ful.
10
7,180
Army.
Total.
11
305
Success-
ful.
12
157
Statement
No. II.
Statement
No. I.
4. The average cost per successful case of vaccination, including the produc-
tion of vaccine at Meiktila, amounted to six annas one pie against four annas nine
pies in the preceding year. Each vaccinator fulfilled an average of 140 vaccinations
per month throughout the year. The total outturn of work amounted to
411,1
deficit of 60,289 which coupled with expenditure for educating Native Superin-
tendents of Vaccination and improving the equipment of the Meiktila Vaccine
Depôt, accounts for the increased cost per successful case. This disappointing
result cannot be ascribed to mere apathy on the part of the officers concerned ;
as, although in the case of Shwebo, it seemed to me possible during the
year that greater efforts might have been expected, apathy was certainly not
the usual cause of failure. Indeed, it may be safely said that on no previous
occasions has the progress of vaccination been more systematically watched
in this Province than during 1906-07. I gave general instructions to the
Deputy Sanitary Commissioner, in his function of Superintendent of Vacci-
nation, which involved instant reference and explanation as to each instance of
" falling off " in the Returns that were received ; and this system he adhered to
with tenacity.
There was, however, brought forward convincing proof that the
people were confusing vaccination with plague inoculation, and, indeed, imagined
that the intention was not of a prophylactic nature. From certain areas sugges-
tions came, in consideration of this state of affairs, to stop all vaccination. But
this, I consider would have been poor policy, although it might with some be re-
garded as discreet. It seemed to me far better to face the situation, and proceed