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Plans for poliomyelitis vaccination had to be curtailed during the latter part of the year
because of the national shortage of Salk vaccine.
During the year a fourth injection was given to a large number of children between
the ages of five and 14 who had previously received the course of three injections of the
Salk vaccine. The routine administration of the primary course of three injections to
infants continued. There is an interval of at least seven months between the second and
third injections and it is a matter for some concern that about a quarter of those receiving
the first two doses do not return for the third. Figures given elsewhere in this report show
that the additional immunity arising from the third or fourth doses is very considerable.
Towards the end of the year thoughts turned to the possible use of the Sabin live poliomyelitis
vaccine, which consists of attenuated strains of the three antigenic types of
poliomyelitis vaccine and is given by mouth. It is known to be effective in giving a good
antibody response. It has the advantage of not requiring injections. If given on a community
basis to a high proportion of those under the age of 15 years, it not only provides
individual protection but also stops the circulation of the virus in the community and thus
reduces the risk of infection to the unvaccinated as well as the vaccinated. A decision
was made to begin the routine use of the Sabin vaccine in the Council's clinics early in
1962. It is regrettable that the Ministry of Health has so far limited its use to those in the
priority groups who have not received a full course of Salk vaccine. Its use as a measure
of community protection is thus not possible.
A new quadruple prophylactic is now being produced in this country, in which inactivated
poliomyelitis vaccine is incorporated into the triple (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis) prophylactic.
Hitherto such an idea was not very attractive because it was known that early in
life, when one would wish to give the triple prophylactic in order to protect against
whooping cough, the response to poliomyelitis vaccine, particularly to Type I, is diminished.
The new quadruple prophylactic has a fortified Type I poliomyelitis component in the
hope that this difficulty will be overcome and its use will be studied with interest.
Yellow fever vaccination—At the invitation of the Ministry of Health a yellow fever
vaccination service is provided. This is operated by arrangement with the authorities of the
centres mentioned below, who give vaccination and issue the appropriate international
certificates. No charge is made to the public for this service.
The numbers of persons vaccinated were:
1961 1960
Clinic No. 1. (Hospital for Tropical Diseases) 9,297 10,571
(Shipping Federation Clinic, King George V Dock) 2,762 809
Clinic No. 2. (Unilever House) 1,173 1,249
Clinic No. 3. (West London Centre) 3,682 4,031
16,914 16,660
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