The Cutter Incident: How America's First Polio Vaccine Led to the Growing Vaccine Crisis

Really enjoyable and readable by the layperson. A fascinating look at why we do some of the things we do -- and just why polio is so frightening.

The author presents the science and legal outcomes of this polio vaccine disaster in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. While telling a historical event, the author was aptly able to show how families today are still being affected-making this book a great read for those who have wondered just what is going on with vaccines, vaccine shortages, and the vaccine industry.

In 1952, the United States suffered its worst ever polio epidemic, with 58,000 people affected. The race was on to perfect a vaccine that would bring this scourge under control. In 1955, following several breakthrough, a vaccine was created, and a huge trial was conducted, involving some 800,000 children, of whom 600,000 were given the vaccine (the rest were given a placebo). However, it quickly became apparent that something had gone wrong. Before all was said and done, 40,000 children contracted polio, 200 were permanently paralyzed, and 10 died. The race was on to find out what had gone wrong. 1955 was still the dawn of the vaccine era, and there was much to be learned. However, in the aftermath of the vaccine, liability law was changed in a way that seemed minor at the time, but has resulted in a dearth of vaccines and vaccine makers. Do you want to know why 2004 witnessed a shortage of flu vaccines? Read this book and find out! Overall, I must say that I found this book to be quite fascinating. The author does a good job of retelling what happened, and what its ramifications were and are. It seems quite ironic that something that went wrong at the dawn of vaccines is bringing the era of vaccines to a close! If you want to know how we got from that seemingly glorious era of ever new vaccines, which seemed to promise a disease free future, to day, then you must read this book. I highly recommend it!

For anyone who is interested in medical or legal history, or both, this is a great read. With impeccable research and gripping detail, Dr. Offit delivers a fascinating glimpse into an age of great despair, great hope and great tragedy. Set in 1955 America, this non-fiction account of America's worst (and little known) biological disaster brings into stark focus the irony of the pre-FDA era; when a great discovery like the Salk polio vaccine could be rushed to market to stem a desvastating epidemic, but not without the risks that accompany anything of that magnitude done in haste. When the courts get involved the irony grows thicker, for only in America could the greatest triumph over disease, the Salk polio vaccine, bring to bare a legal legacy that could be the downfall of vaccines for generations to come.

This book is a remarkably balanced look at what could be considered one of the worst biological disasters in our history, and the impact it has had on today's diminishing supply of vaccines. Dr. Offit has successfully brought to light this little known incident in this compelling book, and he has given thoughtful insight to the current climate - and crisis - surrounding vaccines. It is extremely well written, and I recommed it highly.