Epidemic shines light on 80 years of vaccines

As coronavirus tightens its grip on the world, we delve through The Courier-Mail’s photo archives to look at miracle vaccines since the 1940s.

Brendan O’Malley

less than 2 min read

February 27, 2020 - 6:00AM

Westside News

First shots of the Salk anti-polio vaccine being given by Health and Medical Services deputy director Dr DW Johnson in Brisbane in 1956. On the receiving end are Clem, 7, left, and Paul, 9, sons of the Premier Vince Gair, pictured with their mother. Picture: Bob Millar Jnr

1/17First shots of the Salk anti-polio vaccine being given by Health and Medical Services deputy director Dr DW Johnson in Brisbane in 1956. On the receiving end are Clem, 7, left, and Paul, 9, sons of the Premier Vince Gair, pictured with their mother. Picture: Bob Millar Jnr

Special containers for Salk anti-polio vaccine being checked in Brisbane by laboratory assistants Ruth Rogers, left, of Mackay, and Una Bonner of Chelmer in readiness for a State-wide vaccination campaign in 1956. Picture: Ray Saunders

2/17Special containers for Salk anti-polio vaccine being checked in Brisbane by laboratory assistants Ruth Rogers, left, of Mackay, and Una Bonner of Chelmer in readiness for a State-wide vaccination campaign in 1956. Picture: Ray Saunders

3/17St John's Ambulance workers assisting with Salk anti-polio vaccine injections in 1957. Picture: Bob Millar Snr

Doses of Salk vaccine are being unpacked at Commonwealth Health Department serum section after being flown from Melbourne. L. Dempsey, left, officer in charge, and P Duffy were transferring the vaccine to a storage refrigerator. Picture: Bob Millar Snr

4/17Doses of Salk vaccine are being unpacked at Commonwealth Health Department serum section after being flown from Melbourne. L. Dempsey, left, officer in charge, and P Duffy were transferring the vaccine to a storage refrigerator. Picture: Bob Millar Snr

5/17Australian soprano Marjorie Lawrence, who was stricken by infantile paralysis (also known as polio) in Brisbane in 1949.

6/17Salk with a smile for Janice Kennedy, 9, of West End State School. Picture: Ray Saunders

7/17An outbreak of influenza in Brisbane in 1948 emptied schools, such as Windsor State School where only 19 of 42 pupils turned.

8/17A nurse administers anti-flu vaccinations to workers in 1958. Picture: Ray Saunders

Relatives of passengers on cruise ship Strathmore went to Hamilton to meet the ship in 1962. The visitors were not allowed on the wharf due to a cholera outbreak on-board. Picture: Jim Fenwick

9/17Relatives of passengers on cruise ship Strathmore went to Hamilton to meet the ship in 1962. The visitors were not allowed on the wharf due to a cholera outbreak on-board. Picture: Jim Fenwick

10/17A woman waves to relatives on the Strathmore.

Dr R.V Graham, Brisbane City Council Health Department medical officer, vaccinates Paul Young, 2, of Rocklea, for smallpox in 1962. Assisting was Sister Palma Byrnes, at rear. Picture: Ted Holliday

11/17Dr R.V Graham, Brisbane City Council Health Department medical officer, vaccinates Paul Young, 2, of Rocklea, for smallpox in 1962. Assisting was Sister Palma Byrnes, at rear. Picture: Ted Holliday

12/17Doctor R.V. Graham giving anti-tetanus injections to children at City Hall. Picture: Bob Millar

13/17Dr Marie Norton-Wilson giving Salk vaccinations in 1957. Picture: Eric Donnelly

Matron M.D. Dutton (fourth from left) and nurses H.M Hately, S.V. Wynne, J.R. Kelly, M. Soully and J.C.Young in 1943. They were sent to north Queensland to help control malaria and dengue fever.

14/17Matron M.D. Dutton (fourth from left) and nurses H.M Hately, S.V. Wynne, J.R. Kelly, M. Soully and J.C.Young in 1943. They were sent to north Queensland to help control malaria and dengue fever.

X-ray at the Chest Clinic in George St, Brisbane CBD, in 1955. Almost 35,000 had chest scans to detect tuberculosis at the clinic that year. Picture: Cliff Postle

15/17X-ray at the Chest Clinic in George St, Brisbane CBD, in 1955. Almost 35,000 had chest scans to detect tuberculosis at the clinic that year. Picture: Cliff Postle

16/17St John's Ambulance workers assisting with Salk injections in 1957. Mrs T Garrett and Shirley Chick. Picture: Bob Millar Snr

17/17Adults receiving Salk injections in Brisbane in 1962. Picture: Barry Pascoe

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/epidemic-shines-light-on-80-years-of-vaccines/image-gallery/fa236330ebd05f06612c321d8b28d08e

Epidemic shines light on 80 years of vaccines

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