Hygiena 2015, 60(4):168-169 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1401

Mandatory Vaccination against Smallpox, Czechoslovakia 1919

Jaroslav Kříž

Státní zdravotní ústav, Praha

The reasons for mandatory vaccinations comprise humane and economic factors and have been reiterated many times over the years. Nevertheless, there is a small number of people who object to mandatory vaccination in the Czech Republic, although the majority of the general public understands the importance of vaccination and accept its necessity. The article quotes the law on mandatory vaccination against smallpox approved by the National Assembly of Czechoslovakia in 1919 and cites the explanation of the proposal of the law by Prof. Ladislav Syllaba, the famous Czech internist. Presented facts show that basic approaches to mandatory vaccination in 1919 and the present day are admirably consistent.

Keywords: vaccination, Czech Republic, smallpox

Received: June 2015; Accepted: June 17, 2015; Published: December 1, 2015  Show citation