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Royal Navy (Vaccination)

Volume 463: debated on Tuesday 12 April 1949

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asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will give an assurance that ships' officers carrying out regulations in regard to vaccination and inoculations are made aware of the right of the compulsorily enlisted men to refuse these operations.

Yes. The instructions to medical officers state that no punishment or penalty is to be incurred for declining vaccination or re-vaccination on conscientious or other grounds and that only voluntary inoculation can be performed. This applies to all men in the Royal Navy and not only to National Service men.