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19
POLIOMYELITIS IMMUNISATION
Inoculation against Poliomyelitis proceeded more or less regularly
throughout the year, though supplies of vaccine were small and
there were frequent delays in delivery. From January 1957 onwards,
general practitioners were given the opportunity to take part
in the arrangements, and parents who had already registered their
children for vaccination by the local authority were able to transfer
to their own doctor if they so desired.
In May, the scheme, which up to then had been limited to those
children born in the years 1947 to 1954 inclusive, was extended
to those born in 1955 and 1956, but although parents were invited
to register these children it was not possible to commence their injections
until November. In December the further extension of the
scheme to include expectant mothers, and children born in the
years 1943-46, was being formulated and the decision to import
American and Canadian Salk vaccine made this a reality early in
the New Year.
The number of children who had completed the course of immunisation
against Poliomyelitis at 31st December, 1957, was only
1,884 whilst a further 300 had received their first injection. The delays
in delivery of vaccine had resulted in there being a waiting
list of 2,034 but with the advent of the Salk vaccine this figure was
speedily reduced by January and February of 1958.