Dorothy Price (endocrinologist)

Dorothy Stopford Price (1890-1954) was an Irish physician, known primarily for her pioneering work in combating tuberculosis (TB) in children in Ireland. She advocated for and oversaw the implementation of BCG vaccination, significantly reducing the incidence of childhood TB in the country.

Born in Dublin to Jemima Stopford and John Stopford, a barrister, she was educated at Alexandra College, Dublin and later at Trinity College Dublin, graduating with a medical degree in 1921.

Price became deeply concerned by the high rates of childhood mortality due to TB in Ireland. She studied TB treatment methods in Paris and Scandinavia, becoming convinced of the efficacy of BCG vaccination. Despite considerable resistance from some medical professionals and the Catholic Church, particularly due to concerns surrounding its foreign origin (developed by Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin in France), she tirelessly campaigned for its introduction.

She began administering BCG vaccinations in Dublin in 1937, initially on a small scale. Her work gained momentum, and she was appointed to the National BCG Committee in 1949. As chairperson, she oversaw the expansion of the BCG vaccination program nationwide. The program was highly successful, leading to a dramatic decline in childhood TB cases.

Beyond her work with TB, Price was also interested in other aspects of child health and welfare. She served as a member of the National Paediatric Association and contributed to research on various childhood diseases. She died in 1954, but her legacy as a dedicated physician and public health advocate continues to be recognized. Her efforts were instrumental in improving the health and well-being of Irish children and set a precedent for future public health initiatives. She is regarded as a significant figure in the history of Irish medicine.