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97
VACCINATION AGAINST POLIOMYELITIS
In November 1957 eligibility for vaccination included the age
group six months to fifteen years, expectant mothers and special
groups.
In January 1958 an option of vaccination with North American
tested vaccine was circulated to the parents of those children who
were still awaiting vaccination with British vaccine.
In May the Ministry of Health authorised the use of imported
vaccine which, although tested and licensed in the country of origin,
had not been tested in this country. Parents still awaiting British
tested vaccine were given the option of accepting the untested
vaccine, and in fact most did so.
As a result administrative action became still further complicated,
since consent forms had to be sorted out as between
vaccinations to be done by the family doctor and those to be done
by the Health Department, and again according to the type of
vaccine selected, i.e.,
(a) British vaccine
(b) Imported and British tested
(c) Imported, but not British tested
During the latter part of 1958 vaccination was made available
to persons between the ages of six months and twenty-five years
and, in addition, the administration of third doses seven months
after the second dose, was advised. Plans were then made to give
the maximum publicity to this extension of entitlement and a new
"all-in" illustrated leaflet and consent form was devised. Publicity
was given by advertisement and through the schools with the
assistance of the Borough Education Officer and Head Teachers. In
addition, posters were exhibited on all the Borough Council poster
sites.
During 1958 supplies of vaccine were somewhat erratic and
there was unfortunately a gap of two months between 27th February
and the 23rd April when no vaccine was received. In all, some
26,000 doses of vaccine were received during the year and over
10,000 doses were administered at the Central Clinic in the Town
Hall. The remainder of the vaccine was issued to general
practitioners.
In November it was estimated that there were 16,500 persons
eligible to receive vaccination in the 15/25 year age group, but at
the same time over 11,000 young persons remained unvaccinated
in the age group six months to fifteen years.
All the vaccine administered has been singularly free from
reaction.