In 1950 a severe poliomyelitis epidemic was developed in Mexico. In 1946 was reported the first case, but in 1950 the multiplicity and the severity of cases obliged the authorities to install an special service at the Hospital Infantil of Mexico City, supplied with an intensive care unity with pulmotors and to develop a campaign isolating sick children and caring them with general measures and physiotherapy. In 1952 the epidemic goes down, but poliomyelitis became endemic. Some surgical procedures to permit a better rehabilitation was designed and soon came the Salk vaccine to provide bases to a preventive approach. In 1954 Sabin started his work in preparing and producing a live virus vaccine, always working near Mexican sanitary authorities, to finally develop a successful national vaccination campaign in 1959. In this paper we describe this events and present considerations about poliomyelitis control and eradication in Mexico, through the study of primary and inedited documentation.

This presentation is based on work co-authored by Carlos Viesca.