Abstract

Why the Dimes March On. Polio Foundation's Dilemma

The article focuses on the fund raising and advertising campaign of a March Dimes, an fund raising arm of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis for polio eradication. A new vaccine "Salk" was developed to fight against polio. The publicity for the vaccine was very costly and it was a widespread belief that the vaccine was 100 per cent effective despite warnings by the scientists responsible for its field trial. This belief led in turn to an almost insatiable demand for the vaccine. The polio foundation has performed a major public service with missionary zeal and support most of the scientific research in U.S. on infantile paralysis and developing vaccines and for the care and treatment of thousands of polio victims.