Una década de noticias de prensa sobre poliomielitis en la provincia de Guadalajara (1958-1967)

The highest incidence of poliomyelitis in Spain occurred between 1950 and 1963. Salk's inactivated polio vaccine was available from 1955 onwards, and was adopted by various countries. The approach of the Spanish health authorities to the problem was timid and inefficacious: no firm decision was taken to introduce the vaccine systematically. We carried out a study of the news reports on polio published by two weekly newspapers in the province of Guadalajara between 1958 and 1967. The results show that the information provided was biased and contradictory, reflecting the lack of decision making. After expressing doubts about the Salk vaccine and denying the magnitude of the problem, reports began to praise the oral Sabin vaccine after its application in the 1963-1964 campaign was shown to be successful. This late success was presented used as a propaganda weapon by the authorities.