Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-15
Vaccine Sure
For Thousands
More in Area
SuIk Two-Shot Plan
Cuts Chances of
General Scramble
BY JOHN McKELWAY

polio vaccine ShotS now mas OF
fered thousands of additional
Washington area youngsters
that easier, healthier life the
polio vaccine promises.
These are the children who
might have been left out of this
years original polio vaccination
plan which only a number of
hours ago was changed. The
change - besides giving every
body something to 60 on-re-
leased enough vaccine to in
oculate 40 million more young
sters across the country.
| While it was still too early to
estimate just how many more
shots of vaccine would be avail
able here. the additional vaccine
at least lessened the chance of
a general scramble for once
scarce item. Only time and the
arrival of the vaccine will de-
| termine If priorities must be
set UP.
Mutual Decision
Locally, the decision by the
| Polio Foundation to follow DIR.
Jonas Salk's suggestion of two
shots now and another around
December, came yesterday only
a few minutes after the D. c.
Health Department had made
the same decision.
Actually. the local health de-
partment is in an enviable posi-
ton in that 1t is to start its
incubation of first and second
graders in all schools April 26
The department has over a week
to wait for its shipment of vac
cine. Needles, incidentally, to be
used in the program will arrive
here Monday from Nebraska.
But State Health Departments
in Virginia and Maryland must
get their vaccine by sometime
Sunday or postpone their inocu-
lation schedules. According to
Dr. William j. Peoples, health
officer in Montgomery, Mary
lands shipment is expected to
arrive some time this week end"
A rush to get the vaccine ready
for Monday mornings round of
i vaccinations is almost a certainty
Start April rs in Fairfax
In Fairfax County, Health
Officer Harold v. Kennedy an
nounced vaccinations will start
April rs, or as soon thereafter
that the vaccine Is available.
The second shots will be given
the week of May %.
Originally. it had been planned
to start NEGOTIATIONS next Mon
day. DR.. Kennedy said he had
been advised the vaccine would
be available for Virginia on
April rs.
Doctors Get 80 Packages
First NEGOTIATIONS in Arlington
County public schools are sched-
uled for 8 am. April Is, while
the second ones will begin at 8
am, May %. Parochial schools
in the county will lead off at 9
am. April 26, second shots COM
ing at 9 am. May "a.
DR.. r. G. Beechley, Arlington
health director, said the third
shots will be the responsibility
of the parents and can be OBJ
tanned through private physi-
Clans"
Shipments of limited supplies
of vaccine are expected for pri-
vate physicians in the area be-
fore the wholesale lots arrive.
Last night such a shipment
arrived by American Airlines at
National Airport. The 80 pack
ages from the Pittnan-Moore
laboratory in Indianapolis were
consigned to doctors of the
Washington Baltimore area.
Meanwhile, plans were pushed
for a Government-sponsored
meeting of doctors. health Off
Gals and manufacturers here
April 20 to map out the fairest
method of distributing the vac
cine throughout the Nation.
Secretary of Welfare Hobby
said the meeting would be to
carry out President Eisenhower's
directive ito explore every pos
sible means for assuring equal
opportunity for immunization
for all those who wish it as
quickly as possible.
With the Foundations an
See VACCINE, Page Az