Polio Vaccine Collection 1951-1962

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Polio Vaccine Collection 1951-1962

http://oculus.nlm.nih.gov/phs251

Reports, memoranda, and correspondence relating to the USPHS's involvement in the introduction of the Salk polio vaccine.

eng,

History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine

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SNAC Resource ID: 6387949

Related Entities

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National Foundation

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6tn27f9 (corporateBody)

United States. Public Health Service

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w65x64pk (corporateBody)

In April 1955 the Department of HEW licensed 6 companies to distribute a newly-developed polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. The vaccine's effectiveness had been endorsed by NIH and the Surgeon General. Shortly after the vaccine was distributed, however, Cutter laboratory's allotment was found to be tainted and a cause of 72 new cases of polio. Responding to the crisis, the U.S. Public Health Service directed CDC epidemiologist Alexander Lang...