State Department of Health, saying that 'in the event that this community is chosen for the test program with the new vaccine, the Pima County Medical Society will cooperate with the Department of Public Health to the very best of its ability.' As a result of later long discussion at the Board of Discussion meeting, the following letter was sent to Dr. Salsbury: 'I have been authorized by the Board of Directors of the Pima County Medical Society to advise you that this Society does not oppose that trial program with poliomyelitis vaccine which is to be conducted by the Arizona State Health Department, but does not wish to be placed in the position of sponsoring the vaccine or assuming responsibility for it.'
Actually I think we must admit that these replies were sent out from our Society, in the first case with very little deliberation and thought, and in the second case after a lot of thought on the part of those of us who know little about it. Tonight, is the presence of those who are informed and can present the various sides, we can act more intelligently about it. We would like to get some information on this subject. It is a serious thing, and it would like, therefore, to throw this matter open to discussion among the members present so that, before we leave here tonight, we may have some opinion as to how this program affects how we should conduct ourselves."
Dr. George L. Dixon addressed the President, and was recognizes. He said "On March 3, 1954. all of you were mailed a letter from the Arizona State Department of Health which fully explained this matter and the vaccine, and I quote, 'Basically, the vaccine is composed of all three types of viruses grown in cultures of monkey kidney tissue. To the virus there is added formaldehyde solution, which stays in contact with the virus solution at controlled temperatures for several days.
To make certain that no live particles of virus remain after the formaldehyde treatment, samples of each batch are injected into the brains of twelve health monkeys. For at least 3 weeks these animals are observed carefully for any signs of illness. As a double check, additional samples are placed in a series of tissue cultures to see if there are any signs of virus growth. And as a triple check, samples are injected into mice and rabbits to determine whether any other contaminants might be present that could caused any reactions.
The triple safety tests on each batch of vaccine to be used in the vaccine field trials will be made by three independent laboratories--Doctors Salk's (who developed this vaccine), the commercial manufacturer's, and the Laboratory of Biologics Control of the National Institute of Health, the division of the U.S. Public Health Service which controls the manufacture of all biologic preparations. Not until the vaccine has passed the triple safety tests one hundred per cent is it considered ready for use.'
This is a trial to determine the effectiveness of the shot in preventing poliomyelitis, and to give us the time effective prevention can be determined. Booster shots can be administered as necessary. The local Board of Health, with the aid of the Pima County Chapter of the National Foundation, plans to work out some twenty-five teams of doctors and nurses so that all the injections can be given in a single day in approximately three hours. The second grade has been selected. The actual date is not yet known, but the first injection will be given and followed in one week by the second, the third four weeks later, so that all will completed in 5 weeks.
Dr. Lewis Howard and I went over this carefully with a number of State physicians who were down in Tucson last week, and Dr. Howard plans to attend a meeting of the Board of Health in Phoenix on the 12th of this month to get further information. All the children in the second grade can be vaccinated. Written permission from the parents is necessary. The vaccine for these tests seems perfectly safe and the process for preparing it is a time tried one. This is the first time monkey tissue has been used in cultures, so that no allergic reactions are anticipated. In other words, allergic children, such as asthmatics, exzematoids [ eczematoids ], etc., should not be affected. Temporary illness, is the child is able to get to school during the hours of the vaccination, should not be aggravated. The purpose of the test is not for the safety of the test, but to determine the length of time of its effectiveness for prevention."
