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Death and permanent crippling following acute polio
myelitis have always been far less than similar effects
due to accidents in the home and on the roads. The incidence
of paralytic poliomyelitis following immunisation
with combined antigen has been even smaller The general
level of immunity to poliomyelitis has been raised a great
deal by the rush for vaccination against the disease
Therefore it no longer seems to me to be a wise policy to
lower the community level of protection against diphtheria
and smallpox in order to avoid a small risk The popularity
of the triple antigen (diphtheria, whooping cough and
tetanus) was surprising, the demand for it still exists
and it is a great pity not to return to the simplicity of
a few years ago when three injections and a scratch provided
protection against four dangerous diseases
Work is now proceeding towards the production of a
combined antigen to include protection against poliomyelitis.
If this is successful it should be a big step towards the
achievement of a desirable level of protection against
these diseases in the community
Medical Examination' of Council Employees.
The total number of examinations carried out during
1958 was 132. Of these 27 were for superannuation purposes
alone, 24 for admission to the Council's Sick Pay Scheme,
49 for Sick Pay and Superannuation and 32 for various
special purposes
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