Immunizations - Poliomyelitis

Contamination by Simian Virus 40. The public has been alarmed by reports of contamination of polio vaccines given between 1955 and 1963 by a virus known as SV40. The virus has been detected in certain rare cancers, including mesothelioma (a lung cancer normally associated with asbestos exposure), osteosarcoma, some brain tumors, and non-Hodgkin''s lymphoma.

Click the icon to see an image of a brain tumor.

Still, about 98 million people may have been exposed, and most of these cancers are very rare (although some, including non-Hodgkin''s lymphoma, are increasing). At least 40 years of observation have raised no red flags that indicate any serious problem. However, polio, once a major killer of children, has nearly been wiped out worldwide.

Page: 1 | 2   previous | next

Email this page  Printer friendly  Bookmark this page