POLIOMYELITIS VACCINE

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28436, 16 November 1957, Page 8

POLIOMYELITIS VACCINE

Oral Type “Practical” In Five Years

Ih'ew Zealand. Press Association) DUNEDIN. November 15.

Oral live vaccine against poliomyelitis is potentially superior to the present Salk vaccine which is given by injection and is made up of “killed” poliomyelitis viruses. But oral vaccine is not ready for general use yet. “It is my guess that it will be about five years before oral vaccine is a practical thing,” said Professor J. A. R. Miles, head of the Department of Microbiology. University of Otago, today. He was discussing a report from Cleveland that a team of scientists from the Tulane University School of Medicine had predicted that oral vaccines against poliomyelitis will eventually prevent the disease even in non-vaccin-ated people. ‘The oral type of vaccine, if safe, would obviously be an improvement on the Salk type,” said Professor Miles. “This oral vaccine has been tried out on a number of people. While it is safe for the people who get it, there is the risk that this virus may change back to a fully virulent virus and start an epidemic. “It is because we are afraid of that, that such a tremendous amount of care is being taken to make sure that it cannot happen with the strains being used, before this type of vaccine is used widely.”

Trade Bulletin.— The Department of Industries and Commerce is to issue a monthly bulletin called “Export News.” which will contain information on New Zealand’s trade promotional efforts in various countries.— < P.A.)

Corriedale Trophy.—A new trophy in the Corriedale section this year, was the Killick Aike Trophy presented by Mr Carlos Felton, of Argentina, for the ram with the best sire’s fleece. This was won by the Bushey Park Estate. The section judge (Mr D. W. Ensor, of Cheviot) said that amongst the number of firm and woolled rams, the winner was outstanding. “He carried a heavy, bulky fleece of very good quality and was particularly fine throughout,” said Mr Ensor. The winner was also third in the aged ram class.