312 



been licensed to six pharmaceutical firms. The announcement was 

 made April 12, the same day as the publication of the Francis report.' 



Congressional concern over Salk vaccine distribution 



Congressional hearings concerning the Salk vaccine, in late spring 

 of 1955, had as their focus the proposed Poliomyelitis Vaccination As- 

 sistance Act of 1955, that would extend grants to the States to pur- 

 chase and distribute the vaccine to all children to age 20, and to preg- 

 nant women. The variety of issues described above were raised in these 

 hearings. Testimony was taken mainly from representatives of 

 DHEW and persons supporting the administration's proposal for a 

 limited program of Federal support for a voluntary State-based pro- 

 gram. These included State health officers and spokesmen for the 

 American Medical Association. Many Members of Congress opposed 

 the limited provisions of the administration's bill. In its final form, 

 the Congress took this aj^proach, rejecting proposals to restrict the 

 assistance program to indigents, and for matching Federal with State 

 funds. 



There were a number of beneficial eilects of the hearings, in addition 

 to the specific legislative product. They impelled DHEW to tighten 

 its arrangements for large-scale control of vaccines. The role of the 

 Federal Government in mass medical programs was more precisely de- 

 fined. The way was paved for a more orderly introduction of future 

 vaccines (such as that later developed by Dr. Sabin). Although there 

 were evident limitations in the hearing process, the Congress was able 

 to make a finding on the basis of professional testimony that helped 

 pave the way toward the substantial conquest of polio in the United 

 States. 



II. Congressional Consideration or Arrangements for 

 Distributing the New Vaccine 



On April 22, 1955, in presenting a citation to the NFIP on the suc- 

 cess of the vaccine. President Eisenhower stated that the NFIP and 

 Secretary Hobby were looking into the problems of rapid production 

 and fair distribution.^ Wliile a National Advisory Committee set up 

 in DHEW was looking at the alternatives for polio vaccine distribu- 

 tion, the NFIP, using vaccine left over from field trials and additional 

 sources secured from the other licensed firms, began free innoculation 

 of all first and second graders through the machinery set up for the 

 field trials. 



On April 27, President Eisenhower told his press conference that he 

 envisioned a limited Federal role in distribution. "While "I would not 

 hesitate to use any power of Government, if necessary, I just believe 

 that others can do it better." He opposed "* * * any compulsory role 

 for the Federal Government * * * it would slow it up." The National 

 Advisory Committee would establish sound medical and equitable 

 priorities for distribution.'^ On May 4, the President announced that 

 "* * * there will never be a child in the United States denied this 



•i Richard Carter. "Breakthrough: The Saga of Jonas Salk" (New York, Trident Press, 

 1966), p. 311. See also Fisher, op. cit, p. 76. 



8 U.S. President Dwight David Eisenhower. Citation presented to the National Founda- 

 tion for Infantile Paralysis and accompanying remarks. April 22, 1955. In Public Papers 

 of the Presidents. Dwight David Eisenhower, 1955. (Washington, U.S. Government Print- 

 ing Office, 1956). pp. 415-6. 



■^ President Dwight David Eisenhower. The President's news conference of April 27, 1955. 

 In ibid., pp. 437-8. 



