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The paper discussed the origins of forming in 1951 the Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Hygiene in Poland and its subsequent tasks. Relating to the evolving tasks, changes in the organizational structure, professional profile of the staff, main professional challenges and scientific achievements are described in 10 years cycles. Successive chapters address: scientific careers of the Department staff and contribution to scientific development of the whole institute among others; teaching and training, mainly targeted at the epidemiological service staff in Poland; editorial and publishing activities.

In the fifties and the sixties of 20th century big epidemic and increasing numbers of poliomyelitis cases were observed in Poland as well in other countries of Europe and world. Inactivated Salk's vaccine in injections as well as oral attenuated vaccine were introduced to the control and prevention of this disease. As the result of it poliomyelitis was eradicated in American, European and of West Pacific Region of WHO. Since 1984 poliomyelitis cases were not registered in Poland, VAPP were observed in small numbers. Just now new vaccines with poliomyelitis component as Boostrix Polio and Adacel Polio are convenient to use as booster doses of poliomyelitis vaccine. Actually inactivated polio vaccine is used in majority of west European countries, USA, Canada, Australia. Inactivated vaccine in basic and attenuated vaccine in booster doses were used in Central and East European countries and only attenuated vaccine are used in big African, South and Central American countries, China, India and countries, witch were the part of past Soviet Union.

Vaccines against rotaviruses infections are the first vaccines used against gastro-enterity among young children. There are two actual used oral vaccines: Rotarix (GSK) and RotaTeq (MSD/Sanofi Pasteur). Both vaccines are live with atenuated strains of viruses. Vaccination should be performed between 6 and 24 weeks of life, most often between 6 and 6 weeks. Two doses of Rotarix, three doses of RotaTeq with 4 weeks distances of time between vactination are used as immunization. No booster doses are recommended. Vaccines used actually are succesful and safety, especially according intussusception after vaccination.

Improving of epidemiological situation of hepatitis B was reached by universal vaccination of infants, adolescents and vaccination of adults in high risk groups. Elimination of cases in the age group 0-10 and decreasing about 90% of number of notified cases observed in the years 1989-2004 was observed. Changes of the programme of vaccination since 2008 would be necessary to introduce. The first group of children vaccinated basically in the first year of life would grow up then to 14. Resignation of basic vaccination in 14 is necessary. Introducing of booster dose seems to be available in 14, opposite immunological memory, because: very high incidence rate of hepatitis B in past was noted in Poland; still now high incidence rate is noted in the groups 15-19 and 20-24 also in some voyvodships; documented immunological memory lasts only 15 years. This problem should be evaluated during routine vaccination and scheme of vaccination should be changed as soon as possible, not later than after 5 years. Except vaccination also improving of sterilization of medical and cosmetic equipment in autoclaves and hygiene measures especially in voyvodships: łódzkie, świqtokrzyskie, kujawsko-pomorskie and dolnoślaske where rate of hepatitis B is the highest is necessery.

In 2005 the increasing of number of cases and incidence rate of hepatitis B was noted for the first time in last 12 years and in the first time in the period of intensive control of this disease. Also the high increasing of number of cases and incidence rate of hepatitis C was noted in 2005. On the basis of analysis the conclusion was withdrawn that change of the way of publication of statistical and epidemiological material introduced according to suggestions of European Commission concerning hepatitis B and C was the most important cause of this observation. Notsatisfactory changes of way of sterilisation of medical equipment in relation to difficulties of financial problems may be the serious affair of these observations. The low incidence rate of hepatitis B in big part of voivodeships may be also a cause of these observations connected with periodical increasing and decreasing of number of cases.

Hepatitis C, caused by HCV is one of 5 kinds of hepatitis, and one of 3 bloodborne hepatitis. The courses of disease in big part of infected HCV persons are with small or even with no symptoms, and big part of infected persons develop chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis or even hepatocellulare carcinoma. Control of hepatitis C is concentrated on elimination of source of infection, cutting the ways of spreading, and on therapy of cases. Prophylactic vaccine, as well as immunoglobulin specific for disease to this time is unknown. Under the course of studies are therapeutic vaccines against HCV.

Programme of vaccination in 52 countries of European Region does not include vaccination against hepatitis B of newborns and infants in 13 countries (25,0%), of older children and adolescents in 28 countries (53,8%) and among them newborns, infants older children and adolescents in 8 countries (15,4%). The best coverage of vaccination was found in Italy, Bulgaria, Poland, Romain and Lithuania. Number of cases of hepatitis B in the years 1990-2001 in 10 countries among 22 (45,4%), decreased in 6 countries (27,2%), increased in 4 countries (18,2%). The biggest improvement of epidemiological situation of hepatitis B was found in Poland.

Number of cases of hepatitis B in the years 1993-2004 has decreased above 88%. Incidence rate in 2004 in majority voivodships has been similar to average rates in West European countries. The high incidence rate in Poland is now due to high rates in voivodships: Lodzkie, Swietokrzyskie, Dolnoslaskie, Kujawsko-pomorskie as well as of persons in age 20-24 and above 65. The need of analysis of incidence rate in relation to poviats, age of cases with conclusions to eliminate of source, interruption of ways of spreading of infection, and immunization of people especially in high risk groups was discussed and established.

Vaccinations against hepatitis B were performed according to Programme of Vaccination since 1989. 31,1% of population was vaccinated at the and of 2004. In voivodships vaccination was performed between 38,2% and 27,6% Children and adolescents up to 19 years old were vaccinated in 77,6% and persons older than 20 in 15,6%. In the next 2-4 years all children, adolescents and young adults up to 23 should be vaccinated against hepatitis B in Poland in 95% or even more.

A paper on sclerosis multiplex as sequellae of vaccination against hepatitis B with recombinant vaccine was published in the journal of "Neurology" in September 2004. Problem was evaluated in United Kingdom on the ground of General Practice Research Database (GPRD). In 1996 similar problem was evaluated with negative results in several studies. Just now in opinions of many institutions as well as many persons vaccination against hepatitis B with recombinant vaccine should be continued in similar way as it was performed to this time.

Epidemiological situation of hepatitis A in Poland since 1997 was evaluated as low endemicity and since 2002 as very low endemicity. High percentage of cases were noted among adult persons, especially in the age 25-29 years. The course of disease was more serious, than before 1997. In 2004 only 95 cases of hepatitis A were noted in Poland (Incidence rate 0.25/100 000). The number and percentage of unimmunized persons, especially among children, adolescents and young adults increases very rapidly. In such situation vaccination against hepatitis A of persons from risk groups is necessary.

Just after the First World War, when Poland received independence, activity of sanitary-epidemiological service was included as the most important in the country. In this time epidemiological situation of infectious diseases was unsuccessful, especially concerning typhus exantematicus, typhoid fever, dysentery, diphtheria, tuberculosis. National Central Epidemiological Institute and since 1923 National Institute of Hygiene together with filias in some voivodships up to 1954 were appointed as sanitary epidemiological service especially to control the infectious diseases. In 1954 National Sanitary Inspection was appointed as official institution of central administration in the country to the hygienic and antiepidemiological problems and National Institute of Hygiene stated to work as scientific unit only. National Sanitary Inspection was organised as the net of sanitary-epidemiological stations in voivodeships, districts and as frontiers stations.

Epidemiological problems connected with hepatitis A in twentieth century and in the first years of twenty-first were mentioned with special attention of self-limiting of cases in the periods of very high, high, medium, low and very low endemicity. Decreasing of percentage of immunised persons was observed especially among children and young persons. It may be a cause in future of increasing of numbers of cases of hepatitis A even epidemics. Therefore vaccination against hepatitis A some people in risk groups is now recommended. Especially are included persons with some professions (health workers, persons employed in food and meals industry, travellers to the region of high or medium endemicity etc), persons living in territory of poor sanitary conditions, children, adolescents and young adults as well as persons with some chronic diseases, drug addicts, homosexuals.

Background: In the absence of an effective vaccine, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis has frequently been found to be the most common bacterial meningitis among children less than or equal to 5 years of age. This study was conducted prior to the introduction of Hib vaccine in Poland, and is the first case-control study of Hib meningitis in this country., Methods: A 1:3 matched case-control study was nested within a population-based surveillance study of Hib meningitis in children less than or equal to 5 years old in Poland. Controls were matched on the case's age at onset of disease and immunization center., Results: Having one or more siblings is a highly significant risk factor for Hib meningitis and, under the rare disease assumption, risk increases linearly with the increase in the number of siblings. The size of the living area of the home was not itself a significant risk factor for disease. Breast-feeding was not protective in contrast to previous studies. Childcare outside of the home was a significant risk factor for Hib meningitis especially among children greater than 16 months of age, whereas the effect of sibling number on Hib meningitis was much greater among the younger children., Conclusion: Risk of Hib meningitis approximately doubles for every unit increase in the number of siblings. Routine vaccination of Polish infants who have two or more siblings could potentially prevent half of the Hib meningitis cases.

The history of poliomyelitis infection in the world with special regards to Poland has been described. The main clinical and epidemiological features of disease have been outlined, especially these that helped to start global polio eradication initiative. Study and search for safe and effective vaccine have been presented. An impact of vaccination on epidemiological situation of poliomyelitis in the world and in Poland has been illustrated. The general principles and results of global poliomyelitis eradication program have been reported.

The strategies of World health Organisation for elimination of congenital rubella syndrome were presented. The ways of prevention of congenital rubella syndrome by appropriate immunization programs were discussed. The concomitant adverse effects and risks were presented. On the basis of epidemiology of rubella in Poland the authors propose the adjusted vaccination policy.

Improvement of epidemiological situation of infectious diseases was continued in Poland in 1999. The end of epidemics of measles, pertussis, mumps, scarlatine, chickenpox, and rubella was observed. In comparison with the number of cases of infectious diseases registered in 1998, decrease in the number of notified cases of salmonellosis, dysentery, meningitis, encephalitis, and hepatitis type B and A as well as increase in the number of influenza cases and trichinosis was noticed. In 1999, compared with 1998, among all notified deaths percentage of deaths attributed to infectious diseases (0.80%) and infectious diseases death rate (7.71 per 100,000) were slightly higher as an effect of the influenza deaths increase.

Material collected from various institutions on activities in the field of epidemiological trials and education was analized and evaluated. Institutions were divided into the following groups: sanitary-epidemiological stations, medical faculties, scientific and research instituts with the hygienic profile and instituts with epidemiological profile (National Institute of Hygiene, Institute of Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases and Institute of Sexual Transmitted Diseases). Majority of activities in the country connected with epidemiology are performed in these three instituts.

The incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection varies considerably in countries in Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States, but data are difficult to compare between countries because of the large differences in levels of diagnosis, particularly serological identification, and levels of notification. Poland has high levels of diagnosis, including laboratory diagnosis. In the past, the incidence of hepatitis B in Poland was approx. 45 reported cases per 100,000 population, but following the introduction of improved sterilization of medical equipment in 1986 and a selective programme of vaccination in 1991, the incidence fell to about 35 per 100,000 by 1993. In 1993, an intensive vaccination campaign was launched, which has reduced the incidence to under 15 per 100,000. The incidence of HBV infection has decreased across all age groups and in both men and women, and in the under 3 years age group only 32 cases in total were reported in 1997. In 1996 and 1997, there was a slight relative increase in the incidence of HBV infection in men aged 20-24 years. This group may be a target for future vaccination programmes and other activities of control for the infection.

Proper evaluation of epidemiology data for a country requires knowledge of its demographic background. The most relevant data related to demographic structure and migration in 1950-1998 were chosen as a reference for epidemiological analysis. The review includes demographic prognoses developed in authors program of employees of Główny Urzad Statystyczny (National Office for Statistics) in Poland.

Is a review of the current problems related to the international efforts to eradicate poliomyelitis. the paper is divided into three parts: one on past results of polio eradication programme, second on current activities and third on future tasks to be performed on international scale. The author characterizes the virus and provides basic information on clinical features of the disease it causes. The also gives an overview of epidemiological data on polio around the world, with special focus on endemic areas. The paper characterizes special efforts to eradicate Polio in different countries with emphasis on on vaccination programme and evaluation of their effectiveness based on surveillance of all cases of flaccid paralysis. A separate part is devoted to problems of polio eradication in Poland both achievements in elimination of the disease and difficulties in securing WHO required level of reporting cases of flaccid paralysis. The review includes definitions and institutional settings for internationaly coordinated efforts to eradicate polio including time table for particular tasks. Appeal to physicians and health workers to participace actively in the programme of polio eradication is attached to the review.

Decreasing of number of cases as well as incidence rate of hepatitis type B and type A, and increasing of pertussis, leptospirosis, encephalitis and some other diseases was noted in Poland in 1997. The biggest percentage of deaths was caused by tuberculosis--43.1%, sepsis--over 21.9% and hepatitis--10.6%. Introduction of ICD-10 as well as strikes of health workers in Poland in 1997 caused undernotification especially of deaths.

The present paper deals with the epidemiological and clinical properties of influenza, taking into consideration differences in the course of the disease its consequences, and infections in high-risk groups. Special attention was paid to problems connected with influenza prophylaxis, and especially to the problem of vaccination. The authors point out that if the vaccine contains recommended strains for a given season and if the vaccination is done in the proper time, the immunity obtained in this way is effective.

Varicella is generally a mild infections disease of children age. It may be danger among others for people especially children with biological or iatrogenic immunosuppression for instance with diagnosis of leukemia, other neoplastic diseases and with transplantation of tissues. Live, attenuated vaccine was produced in Biken Institute in 1974. It was found as immunogenic, effective, small reactogenic and stabile. The price of vaccine is very high (one dose--74 DM). Vaccination of children against varicella with immunosuppression in the course of leukemia or other diseases performed in hospitals or clinics where they are treated is advisable actually in Poland.

Vaccination by whole-cell pertussis vaccine (Pw) since forties years was followed by decreasing of morbidity and especially mortality caused by pertussis. High reactogenicity of this vaccine (Pw) was the reason trials undertaken to search new type of less reactogenic vaccine. Acellular pertussis vaccine (Pa) was found as effective, safe, small reactogenic. It may be especially used as booster doses for older children and even for adults people. Actual pertussis infection among adults are suspected as the source infection for children. Just now in some countries acellular vaccine start to be used for ground vaccination of children. Increasing of morbidity of pertussis was noted in some provinces in Poland in last time. Acellular pertussis vaccine may be introduced as booster dose for 6-7 years old children, if epidemiological situation of pertussis among school-age children would be not satisfied in future.