Headline and text from The Portsmouth Times, Saturday, September 29, 1962, p. 1, 12.GOAL: ELIMINATION OF A KILLER
Scioto County is all set to launch all out war on polio Sunday.
The first attack in what is hoped to be a final offensive is to be fought with Type I Sabin oral vaccine at 23 clinics thoughout the county.
H-Hour (that's the time it all begins) is 11 a.m. The first skrimish is to be completed at 5.
Health officials and members of the sponsoring Scioto County Medical Society's program is the first in a series of three SOS (Sabin Oral Sunday) dates.
Type II vaccine is the be given at the same clinics November 4 and Type III is scheduled January 13.
The first against polio--a merciless crippler and killer--has been waged with success for a number of years. Health officials believe we now are on the eve of total victory.
They are confident Sabin oral vaccine can finish what the Salk serum started seven years ago. They also think the taks will be easier. Salk vaccine is given by needle injection, enough to make even grown men shudder. Taking Sabin vaccine is as easy as taking a drink of water.
Persons visiting the immunization clinics are to receive three drops of vaccine mixed in a half ounce of distilled water. Babies and small children will receive the same amount of vaccine in a plastic spoon.
The vaccine is colorless, tasteless and odorless and can be chug-a-lugged with one good swallow. It's as simple as that.
The vaccine is to be offered free, although donations of 25 cents or more will be solicited. But no one will be turned away because they can't afford one.
At each center will be a physician, a pharmacist and a urse to supervise actual administration of the vaccine.
45,500 GET SABIN SERUM IN COUNTY
Headline and text from The Portsmouth Times, Monday, October 1, 1962, p. 1, 8.
Forty-five thousand Scioto Countians drank to their own health Sunday in Sabin oral polio vaccine clinics.
Jay N. Cross, Portsmouth Health Commissioner, said voluntary contributions have not been counted yet, but added that at two rural clinics the donations totaled an average of 30 cents per person. He said the money will be used to purchase the vaccine for the next two clinics--Type II November 4 and Type III January 13.
The total turnout was broken down to:
18,200 - Portsmouth
2,400 - New Boston
2,294 - Valley Intermediate School
744 - Union
2,875 - East High School
2,457 - Glenwood High School
1,390 - McDermott School
1,350 - Green Grade School
878 - South Webster High School
1,275 - Minford High School
2,623 - Clay Junior High
3,472 - Wheelersburg High School
669 - Lyra School