The Surveillance of Poliomyelitis in the United States in 1955

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Abstract
A summary account of the activities of the Polio Surveillance Unit, Communicable Disease Center, Public Health Service, U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare is given with an epidemiologic evaluation of the use of poliomyelitis vaccine in the United States in 1955. A study was made of cases of polio occurring after inoculation with Cutter vaccine, and it was concluded that the development of the disease, in some of these cases, was the result of the presence in infective amounts, of live polio virus in some distribution lots of Cutter vaccine. No evidence has come to light to incriminate any lot of vaccine released since safety tests were revised in May, 1955. Preliminary reports from a number of states indicate encouraging results regarding the effectiveness of the vaccine. Attack rates for paralytic polio are from 2 to more than 5 times greater in the unvaccinated than in the vaccinated groups of children. Confirmation of these preliminary findings has been obtained from a study of the pattern of the age distribution of cases of polio, which shows a sharp reduction in paralytic attack rates among 7 and 8 year old children in comparison to expected rates based on past experience.

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