Salk Polio Vaccine, Mahoney Strain

Jonas Salk first tested his polio vaccine on humans in July 1952 when he inoculated thirty children at the D. T. Watson Home for Crippled Children near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. These children had already had polio, so Salk's test was designed to prove that his vaccine would create a higher level of immunity than a natural infection. Salk also tested his vaccine on residents of the Polk State Home and on himself and members of his laboratory staff.
This vial contains residue of polio vaccine from these first tests. The polio virus exists in hundreds of different strains, all of which fall into three major types. A complete vaccine must contain a strain from each of these three types. However, the children at the Watson Home received only one type of vaccine matching the strain of their original polio infection. This vial is labeled for the Mahoney strain (Type I).

MAKER:
Salk, Jonas E.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
vaccine residue, polio virus (overall, drug ingredient)
glass (overall, container material)
MEASUREMENTS:
overall: 5.5 cm x 2.3 cm; 2 3/16 in x 7/8 in
OBJECT NAME:
biological
vaccine, polio
PLACE MADE:
United States: Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh
DATE MADE:
1952
SUBJECT:
Vaccines
RELATED PUBLICATION:
Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History
National Museum of American History. Treasures of American History online exhibition
RELATED WEB PUBLICATION:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/treasures
CREDIT LINE:
Gift of The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis