POLIOMYELITIS VACCINE—A Report on Field Trials in Southern Alameda County in 1954

Southern Alameda County was the only area in California to take part in the 1954 nationwide field trials for testing poliomyelitis vaccine. Besides the contribution made in evaluating the vaccine, other benefits were: 1. Participation contributed to the control of a serious communicable disease. 2. Inoculations of vaccine during the field trials in all probability prevented some cases of paralytic poliomyelitis among children in southern Alameda County. 3. The community became better informed about poliomyelitis and more interested in the local health department. 4. Local physicians had an opportunity to contribute to important research and to give a valuable community service. 5. The staff of the Alameda County Health Department became better informed and better prepared for any future responsibilities in poliomyelitis immunization programs. Other conclusions reached as a result of participation in the 1954 field trials are that the initial planning of the study was hasty and not sufficiently representative of medical and administrative thinking. If the trials had been planned for 1955 instead of 1954 there would have been sufficient time for research to be completed, professional information to be assured and for sound design of study.