LIVE POLIO IRUS VACCINES

4
Introductory Remarks
4 Introductory Remarks
When estimating the efficacy of a new procedure,
the incidence of the disease in question
must be compared with that in some other group.
When such a group does not exist, the incidence
may be compared with that in other areas in the
same year, or in the same area in other years,
but in a disease with such an extremely variable
incidence as poliomyelitis our confidence in an
estimate of efficacy obtained in this way is low.
There are too many other possible explanations
of the observed differences. Several years of
careful observations may be needed before firm
conclusions can be drawn.
On the other hand, answers to scientific questions
are not enough. The achievements of
science must be translated into practice if they
are to have their full effect in mankind. Smallpox
has not been eradicated, although we have
had a highly effective vaccine for 150 years-a
good expression of human indifference when risk
of death and disease diminish because of an outstanding
scientific achievement. When we are
sure that we have an effective live poliomyelitis
vaccine, we must not rest until its full potential
benefits are given to the whole population. But
to reach this end, the population must understand
and demand vaccination.
I shall not attempt to detail all the many other
problems which will certainly be discussed at
this Conference, nor will I try to forecast the
answers which will be brought forward. We
certainly have a mass of new data to help us.
Over 40 papers will be delivered, and many
valuable opinions and further information will
come from the discussions. As was done last
year, a drafting group has been selected and will
follow the proceedings with special care, so as
to draw up the Summary of the Conference for
your consideration and approval on Friday. As
last year, we will publish the proceedings as
quickly as possible.
This year, however,' the Conference fills an
additional role. The World Health Organization
is convening an Expert Committee on Poliomyelitis
immediately after the Conference, and
all members of the Committee are with us. Thus,
they will have the rare advantage of hearing all
the latest data and opinions immediately prior
to their deliberations, and this can only be of
incalculable value to them in coming to their
conclusions and making their recommendations.
As last year, the Pan American Health Organization
and the World Health Organization are
indebted to the Sister Elizabeth Kenny Foundation
for the generous financial assistance which
has made this Conference possible. I wish to
express, on behalf of Dr. Candau and myself,
our deep appreciation. Our sincere thanks are
also due to Georgetown University for making
this excellent accommodation available. I would
also like to thank the scientists present today for
coming to this meeting, many from long distances
and at considerable inconvenience.
I am sure that all of us look forward to an
instructive and rewarding week.
DR. RAYMOND D. RITTS (Department of Microbiology
and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine,
Georgetown University): As Chairman of
Microbiology at Georgetown University, I have
fallen heir to many strange administrative duties,
and this year, because Dean Hussey is illfittingly,
with a viral infection-on this occasion
he has asked me to express the welcome of
Georgetown University to the Second International
Conference on Live Poliovirus Vaccines.
I do not have any Palladian to deliver to you.
I am usually impressed, when I have attended
or participated in international meetings of this
kind, that the gentleman who delivers the words
of welcome usually has a series of truisms that
are better known to the participants than to
the person who delivers the welcome.
So it is with honor that the Pan American
Health Organization and Georgetown bid you
welcome.
DR. HORWITZ: I shall turn the chair over to Dr.
Gaylord Anderson, who will preside at our meeting
this morning.
CHAIRMAN ANDERSON: Thank you very much,
Dr. Horwitz.
1 appreciate the honor of serving as your
Chairman for this opening session.
The first paper this morning is under the heading
of General Considerations: The Tin Anniversary
of the Development of Live Poliovirus
Vaccine, by Dr. Hilary Koprowski of The Wistar
Institute in Philadelphia. This will he followed
by the first paper under Topic II: Safety, Laboratory
Evidence of Attenuation and Safety, to be
presented by Dr. Melnick of Baylor University,
Houston, Texas. The title of that paper is "Problems
Associated with Live Poliovirus Vaccine and
Its Progeny after Multiplication in Man."