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The vaccine-refusing Holylands!

 

With all the talk about how different countries approach COVID vaccination, it seems timely to remember that vaccination against smallpox was compulsory in England in the past

Between 1853 – 1947, parents or guardians were obliged to have their children vaccinated against smallpox within the first few months of life. Failure to comply could lead to a fine or even imprisonment.

The Holylands were amongst those who were sometimes slow to have their children vaccinated, and the Leicester Mercury lists at least 3 instances:

1877 – Thomas Holyland was fined 10 shillings (it is not clear which Thomas this was, there being several possible candidates!)

1884 – Alfred Holyland of Wharf St, Leicester,  was fined 10 shillings with the threat (or option?) of 7 days imprisonment in lieu of the fine

1885 – Joseph Henry Holyland was summonsed and given one month in which to get his children vaccinated.

Joseph and Alfred were brothers. Alfred’s first child was born in 1883, the year before his conviction, but Joseph (who was no stranger to the courts!) had already fathered  13 children by the time he was convicted.

Joseph Henry Holyland was my 2gt grandfather, but his descendants had their own children vaccinated - I have a smallpox vaccination scar on my arm. My father had three such scars. Smallpox vaccine was given in the UK until 1971, but there was one last case in England in 1978 which necessitated giving a booster jab to all contacts. (1)  The World Health Organisation considers that smallpox has now been globally eradicated.

 

(1) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-45101091


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