Register of Cases of Successful Vaccination, 1864 – 1912

Reference code: IE LA BG110/L 

Extent: 14 Volumes

Scope & Content : Registers of vaccinations performed in the City and County of Limerick (1864 – 1912).

Subjects: Compulsory Vaccination Act; Form F Medical Relief Register; Districts of Limerick City and County - St Michael’s Parish, St. Munchin's, St John’s, Bridgetown, Murroe, Caherconlish.

Creator(s): Limerick Union

Biographical / Historical Note

Smallpox has been one of humankind's greatest scourges which affected all ages and socioeconomic classes. The critical step towards the eradication of smallpox occurred when Edward Jenner and English physician noticed that milkmaids who developed cowpox, a less serious disease, did not develop the deadly smallpox.  By 1796 he had developed a vaccine (from vacca, the Latin word for cow).  

Efforts at immunization in Ireland in the first half of the eighteenth century were generally unsuccessful until the 1864 Compulsary Vaccination Act. Parents were fined if they did not have their children vaccinated while Registrars responsible for the registration of births deaths and marriages in dispensary districts were responsible for registration of vaccinations and were paid per entry.  This ensured success of the first mass vaccination scheme in Ireland.

Limerick City Archives holds Records of Successful Vaccinations for Limerick City and part of county Limerick which list the names and ages of children aged between 4-9 months, and the names and addresses of their parents. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared smallpox eradicated in 1980

Administrative Information

  • Access Restrictions: N.A. 
  • Use Restrictions: N.A. 
  • Related Materials: N.A.

Collection Content

A. Register of Cases of Successful Vaccination, 1864 – 1912

Registers of  vaccinations  performed in the City and County of Limerick recorded numerically under headings (across): ‘Name of Child Successfully Vaccinated’, ‘Age at time of Vaccination’, ‘By whom Vaccinated’, ‘Date of Certificate of Successful Vaccination’, ‘Residence at time of Vaccination’, ‘Name and Residence of Father, Mother, or Person in charge of Child’, ‘Number of Entry of Child’s Birth in the Register of Births, ‘Signature of Registrar and Date of Entry’.

Most children are aged between 6 and 9 months. Front page of Register notes in which District,Union and County vaccinations took place. Includes printed ‘Extracts from the Compulsory Vaccination Act, 26 and 27 vis, Cap. 52’ explaining procedure for correct recording of Vaccinations.

 

PDF File: BG/110/L/3. 7 June 1870 – 31 August 1912 

  • Vaccinations performed in the District of St Michael’s Parish in the City of Limerick 
  • Extent: 105pp
  • Access Rules: N.A.

PDF File: BG/110/L/4. 12 March 1902 – 23 April 1912  

  • Vaccinations performed in the District of Limerick No. 1 in the City of Limerick 
  • Extent: 105pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

PDF File: BG/110/L/5. 3 May 1864 – 13 June 1879

  • Vaccinations performed in the District of St. Munchins in the City of Limerick
  • Extent: 104pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

PDF File: BG/110/L/6. 13 June 1864 – 3 May 1893

  • Vaccinations performed in the District of St. Munchins in the City of Limerick.
  • Extent: 103pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

PDF File: BG/110/L/9. 11 June 1864 – 4 May 1878 

  •  Vaccinations performed in the District of St John’s in the City of Limerick
  • Extent: 106pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

PDF File: BG/110/L/10. 3 May 1878 – 31 August 1887 

  • Vaccinations performed in the District of Limerick No. 3 in the City of Limerick
  • Extent: 105pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

PDF File: BG/110/L/11. 1 March 1864 – 31 May 1870 

  • Vaccinations performed in the District of St. Michaels in the City of Limerick
  • Extent: 106pp
  • Access Rules: N.A.  

PDF File: BG/110/L/12. 18 December 1885 – 13 April 1892

  • Vaccinations performed in the District of Limerick No. 4 in the City of Limerick
  • Extent: 105pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

PDF File: BG/110/L/13. 13 August 1875 – 11 September 1880

  • Vaccinations performed in the District of St Michael’s in the City of Limerick
  • Extent: 107pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

PDF File: BG/110/L/14. 14 April 1892 – 23 February 1898 

  • Vaccinations performed in the District of Limerick No. 4 in the City of Limerick
  • Extent: 108pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

PDF File: BG/110/L/15. 13 August 1878 – 31 March 1896

  • Vaccinations performed in the District of Bridgetown in the County of Limerick
  • Extent: 107pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

PDF File: BG/110/L/18. 3 January 1870 – 3 March 1884 

  • Vaccinations performed in the District of Murroe in the County of Limerick
  • Extent: 106pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

PDF File: BG/110/L/21. 23 April 1880 – 13 April 1903 

  • Vaccinations performed in the District of Caherconlish in the Union of Limerick
  • Extent: 105pp
  • Access Rules: N.A. 

 

B. Medical Relief Register (1899 – 1903)

PDF File: BG/110/M/3. 5 June 1899 to 20 April 1903

  • Form F Medical Relief Register for Caherconlish Dispensary District in the Limerick Union. 160 entries recorded numerically under headings (across): ‘Number of Case’, ‘Date of Presentation of Ticket’, ‘Name of Patient’, ‘Residences of Patient’, ‘Age’, ‘Disease’, ‘Date of Attendance (Dispensary or At Patient’s Home)’, ‘Prescriptions and Treatment at Dates in Preceding Columns, ‘Result (As Relieved, Cured, Died, Ticket Cancelled by Guardians , & c.)’, and ‘Observations’. Includes an alphabetical and chronological ‘Index to Medical Relief Register’ with patient’s Surname, Christian name and corresponding number in the Register. Includes printed directions for the Registrar of the Medical Relief Register.
  • Extent: 168pp
  • Access Rules: N.A