Medicine: Four in One

Trouble with the many immunization shots now available for children is that if they are to be given separately, mother must make many trips taking the moppet to the doctor. Already standard as a way to get around the problem: three-in-one shots of DPT vaccine—against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus. Now the A.M.A. Journal reports that a four-in-one shot, with poliomyelitis vaccine added, has been tested successfully on more than 200 children.

A seven-doctor team, representing the Detroit Department of Health and Manufacturers Parke, Davis & Co., found that most children get the needed protection with three shots a month apart. But infants who start inoculations before they are six months old need four. Trade-named Quadrigen, the vaccine is expected to be available to doctors generally by the end of the year.