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How Fairfax County Second Graders Made Medical History in the Fight Against Polio

In 1954, Fairfax second graders led the charge against polio, which had brought terror for decades.

04/10/2025 | Rating NR

Boundary Stones

How Fairfax County Second Graders Made Medical History in the Fight Against Polio

4/10/2025 | 4m 47s

In 1954, Fairfax second graders led the charge against polio, which had brought terror for decades.

On April 26, 1954, second graders at Franklin Sherman Elementary in McLean, Virginia kicked off the nationwide trials of Dr. Jonas Salk's polio vaccine. Called the biggest medical experiment in U.S. History, the much-publicized trials were a turning point in the fight against a disease that had terrified families for decades.

04/10/2025 | Rating NR

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Boundary Stones is a local public television program presented by WETA

Boundary Stones

How Fairfax County Second Graders Made Medical History in the Fight Against Polio

4/10/2025 | 4m 47s

On April 26, 1954, second graders at Franklin Sherman Elementary in McLean, Virginia kicked off the nationwide trials of Dr. Jonas Salk's polio vaccine. Called the biggest medical experiment in U.S. History, the much-publicized trials were a turning point in the fight against a disease that had terrified families for decades.

04/10/2025 | Rating NR

Problems playing video?   | Closed Captioning Feedback

Report a Problem

Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page.

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