Vaccine passes tests

The Ministry of Health announced today that the initial batches of the new British polio vaccine have now passed their safety tests and will be used to give first injections to about 200,000 children in Great Britain.

"These will be children born in November in each of the years 1947 to 1954 and also in March in the years 1951 to 1954," said the Ministry. "As more vaccine becomes available, further children will be selected.

"The first distribution of vaccine to the local health authorities is due to take place within the next few days, but vaccination is not  likely to start until next week."