The polio story. : The vaccine that changed the World.

Vaccines are one of the greatest modern medical achievements. Dr Paul A. Offit believes that our longevity can be directly attributed to the development of vaccines. This US made archive-rich documentary amply illustrates and documents how polio was perceived in the US: from the 1930s polio outbreaks terrorised the US public routinely closing swimming pools and public buildings. David M. Oshinsky comments on the press treatment of the subject which struck children and teenagers in the summer months. Bill Gates also participates. Julius S. Youngner, a senior scienist in the Salk Laboratory, comments on the understanding of the disease; it was known to be a virus but the transmission was not known apart from being highly contagious. Paralysis of the limbs and lungs was a feature. Archive footage of iron lungs in use to breathe for the children is seen and nursing staff remember the trauma experienced by very young children. Once normal breathing was established children could leave the iron lung, but with limb paralysis, there was rehabilitation and leg supports. In order to fund research into infantile paralysis (polio), the president Frederick D. Roosevelt estalished the March of Dimes with the cooperation of movie stars - funds went straight to the White House. Peter L. Stalk, son of Jonas Salk, describes how his father went about typing the virus (there were three known types). Salk gathered a team and set up a vast research laboratory. Salk sought to use a dead vaccine which was an unorthodox approach to immunology. Albert Sabin took a more orthodox approach and he was very influential. Lasting immunity was an unknown taking the dead virus approach. James D. Cherry discusses the importance of individual immunity versus herd immunity considering the virus. Basil O'Connor worked with Roosevelt and channelled funds to both research teams. A trial was set up a human trial to give the vaccines to children in a children's home who had already had polio and were paralysed. Salk also immunised himself and his family remembered by his son and colleagues. In 1954 another trial in the wider community was set up on a voluntary basis. Sidney and Sylvia Busis talk about their qualms over taking up the vaccine. The trial with considerable publicity was rolled out further across other US communities. At the last moment, the formula was changed with the addition of a preservative. There would be also be a placebo group of 50% of the cohort which greatly troubled Salk. The trial was monitored independently; in 1955 results of the trial were disclosed. Salk became a national hero.