Covid background photo by Visuals3Dde (Copyright free) Source: Pixabay
Van background photo by Tilgner Pictures (Copyright free) Source: Pixabay
David M. Oshinsky writes in his book, "Polio: An American Story (2005)," about the lockdown that occurred in early June of 1949. The nature of Polio was just as foreign as the cure. Fear set in as rumors of catching it from sneezing, handshakes, or handling money spread, almost as fast as the disease itself. There weren't enough hospital beds to help all the infected. In 1948 Dr. Jonas Salk began receiving funds to begin the creation and testing of a vaccine. With support from the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, Salk and his team began a series of testing in 1954.
This mass trial series is still considered one of the biggest public health experiments ever. A poll during the time showed that more Americans knew about the vaccine trials than knew the President's full name. Oshinsky writes, "Never before, it appeared, had Americans taken such a personal interest in a medical or scientific pursuit." Oshinsky also claims that one estimate showed two-thirds of the nation had donated to The March of Dimes, a fundraiser to help fund the Salk vaccine, and 7 million people had donated their time. The nation came together to help find a cure, and to help those in need. Salk's popularity grew as he was the cover of magazines like The New York Times.
Hospital background photo by Foundry. (Copyright free) Source: Pixabay
Redbackgroundphoto by DWilliam (Copyright free) Source: Pixabay
The author, Alice Lake, was stricken with the fear of her five-year-old child getting polio. It was unknown whether schools should remain open, if you could go to pools and theaters, and if your children should go on playdates. Lake shares her findings from talking to polio experts in hopes of answering some of these questions and lessening the panic around polio. She said, "Last year millions of parents suffered months of anguish because of misinformation about summer's mystery disease. Here are the true up-to-the-minute facts: what to look out for, what not to worry about." Lake sets the record straight on what polio is, how it spreads, what activities should be avoided, what symptoms to look for, and what to do if you or your child gets this disease.
This data shows a small portion of the records and research that Dr. Jonas Salk conducted. The top graph shows the polio cases and death rates from 1910 to 1954. In 1916 cases surged to an all-time high, as well as the death rates. In 1952 cases once again surge as does the need for a vaccine. The middle image shows the number of cases per 100,000 population in the year 1952. The midwest is the most saturated with polio cases. Other hotspots include regions of the west. The last chart shows rates by age. Five and six-year-olds have the highest rates with ages four and eight coming in next. Like the previous article suggested, people were scared for the lives of themselves and especially their children. This research puts into perspective just how badly a cure was needed. Salk's later findings help bring the peace and assurance of a polio-free future that many were seeking.
This article featured in the January 1954 Tribune also informed readers of the upcoming and new findings surrounding polio. Being educated about polio was one of the best things you could do to protect yourself and your family. It gives a positive outlook on grim circumstances. It features 10-year-old Delores as nurses help adjust her new braces and shoes, five-year-old Clifford walking with his crutches and braces, and Albert recovering with a smile on his face. This article also is spreading awareness about the polio fundraiser, Mother's March of Dimes for Polio. People who wanted to contribute were invited to leave their porch light on as the mothers would march around collecting the funds. The nation seemed to come together in support of funding a vaccine.
This article with photographs appeared in The (Roanoke, Virginia) Tribune on January 30, 1954, and is publicly provided by The Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
In the early stages of the vaccine, author Sydney B. Self reports that Dr. Hearld Rea Cox announced the vaccine for polio or infantile paralysis. The vaccine was created from the second most common type of polio, of the three strains. Although it is the second most common, it seemed to be the most deadly. Cox said that the vaccine had been tested on 20 human volunteers, none had negative effects from the vaccine. All had built antibodies in their blood protecting them against that specific strain of polio. The vaccine had not yet been perfected to protect against all types and was expected to be ready two years later in 1954. This was the start of a bright future.
This article updates people about the polio vaccine testing that started the same day. Half a million children in 45 states were given the vaccine. The vaccine trial was noted as the greatest mass trial of its kind in medical history. After taking many measures to ensure its safety, The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis decided to go forward with this testing. A previous test in Pittsburgh insured safety after about 7,000 children were tested with positive results. The article also goes into detail about assurance by committee, the manufacturing process, and evaluation rules.
This article talks about Salk's findings of lasting immunity within the vaccine. Because the vaccine had killed virus inoculations, scientists were worried that children who were given the vaccine would lack immunity as they grew into adulthood. These scientists advocated for the production of a live-virus vaccine. Salk disagreed and recommended the continuation of the program without making any changes. The program consisted of three inoculations, the first two given four weeks apart, and the third about seven months later. This third shot would act as the booster giving extra insurance that children's immunity to polio would remain as they became adults.
Author Foster Hailey like many had a critical view of the mass vaccine test that involved children. People were worried that the mass test was starting too soon. Dr. Albert B. Sabin believed that Salk had not yet perfected the vaccine and that it needed to be chemically tested for a longer period of time before the controlled vaccination of children began. Hailey goes into detail about Sabin and his view on the vaccine. Sabin was one of the scientists who believed the vaccine should be made from live viruses rather than dead. He started to create his own vaccine with the live virus. Sabin claims that he saw no "grave danger" in Salks vaccination. Despite the contradicting views, the testing continued.
Publicly provided by the Library of Congress, this video, A Special Report on Polio, was broadcast in 1955. Featuring the secretary of health, education, and welfare, Oveta Culp Hobby, and the surgeon general of the United States public health service, Dr. Leonard Scheele, this video also discusses the extensive testing that took place on the Salk polio vaccine. Hobby and Scheele explain why individuals should not have concerns about the vaccine, and encourage that it is safe for adults and children. It can be confusing when different sources claim different viewpoints on the vaccine. Questions addressed include, is it really safe to take, will it actually protect against polio, and will there be enough vaccine for large-scale use for the upcoming summer? They vow to keep working on the vaccine to make it as safe and effective as possible.
This house press release was made on April 22, 1955, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Publicly provided by the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library, this press release is thanking Dr. Salk for his hard work and dedication in creating the polio vaccine. Eisenhower states, "The work. of Dr. Salk is in the highest tradition of selfless and dedicated medical research." Along with acknowledging the work of Salk, Eisenhower also gives thanks to the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. He speaks on behalf of the whole country as he says they have deep gratitude towards the foundation.
Due to copyright laws, the above four photos are not pictured. To view photos click the associated links. The above infographics and advertisements show truly how impactful polio was. Photographed in 1957, the first image shows a young college student getting vaccinated. The caption explains that the student life center was open for students to go get the polio vaccine. The second image shows polio facts during the year 1956. It is reminding children to not get overtired, overchilled, to not mix with new groups of people, and to keep clean. This poster was produced by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. The third image is advertising for the fundraiser to raise money for the vaccine. Called the March of Dimes, people were encouraged to "give generously to the March of Dimes throughout the entire month of January." The last image shows three images of Dr. Salk in his lab coat. The captions praise his sense of humor and humble attitude. All of these images show how polio was a part of the everyday normal. It was what you saw in media, infographics, and advertisements.
This January 1956 American Journal of Public Health was written by Dr. Salk and gives a recap of the 1955 polio vaccine. The first major point addressed is the fundamental safety of this killed-virus vaccine. Salk says, "The principal objective is to eliminate, for all practical purposes, the presence of infectious virus from each single dose of each batch of vaccine released for use." Taking this safety measure provided more consistency with the vaccine. Salk then goes into detail about other factors that could cause inconsistency during the manufacturing process. With all the controversy and unsurety these safety measures needed to be taken so people could feel safe and look to a brighter, polio-free, life.
Covid background image by: MintBlack4u. Source: Pixabay. (Copyright free.)
After many grueling months of not seeing family, friends and spending time quarantined, hope starts to emerge as the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available. Author Paul Schoenfeld shares his experience with getting vaccinated. He says, "I received my first dose of the Moderna vaccine last week. I was surprised how nervous and excited I felt while I waited to be ushered into an exam room to get my vaccination. I’ve never felt so thrilled about getting a shot!" The shot means more freedom and security in the future. Safety measures taken by the CDC include an app that you can use after getting vaccinated, to report any reactions, provides personal check-ins and reminds you to get your second dose. Shoenfeld's symptoms included a sore arm and mild fatigue. He felt his worry of overcapacity hospitals, losing loved ones, and the health of his children and grandchildren start to melt away.
With the excitement of the new vaccine, also comes fear. Fear that it's not safe because of how new it is. Author Michelle Roberts reports on how some of the vaccines have been linked to cases of blood clots. Although this is very rare, it is possible, leaving people to wonder what other negative side effects could be linked to that vaccine. Experts say the benefits of the vaccine greatly outweigh the risks, and that coronavirus can also lead to blood clots, making it hard to prove that the vaccine is the cause of them. It is advised to monitor yourself after getting vaccinated and to report or go to a doctor if unusual bruising or persistent headaches occur. Because vaccine trials on cells and animals have occurred before it was administered to humans, individuals should feel safe and confident that the vaccine is ready for use.
Other concerns about the vaccine include the safety of children receiving it. Author Joshua Rosen explains how on October 29, the FDA approved emergency use of the vaccine for children ages five to 11. After trials showed that the vaccine was 90% effective for children of these ages, and had no serious side effects, the use was approved. Some parents rushed their children to the clinic right away. Others are a little more hesitant with concerns about safety. This article addresses the following concerns: is it safe for all children, should they still get vaccinated even if they have already had COVID-19, how is the children's vaccine different from adults, and what are the possible side effects of the vaccine? Rosen thoroughly explains and answers each concern in hopes that people can feel confident that this is safe for their children.
Biden said, "Today is a great day for American parents, American families, and American children. We’ve taken a giant step forward to further accelerate our path out of this pandemic." Families and individuals all over the country felt relief as Biden said these words. Children could now get the vaccine, which means education can begin the transition back to normal, they can play with friends, continue extra-curricular activities, and really just be kids. Biden goes on to explain that now instead of worrying every time your child sniffles or coughs, there is now a way to protect them. 28 million children were eligible for the vaccine, and Biden claimed his administration was well organized and ready to begin the launch of the vaccine. The vaccines were made available in 20,000 locations across the country.
Written by Sheryl Gay Stolberg, this article explains Biden's plan to expand the amount of COVID-19 vaccines being created, to help people all over the world. Beginning the second half of 2022, the goal is to produce an additional billion vaccines a year. Not only does this plan help us with our current pandemic, but also future pandemics. Health officials are planning for the future as our battle with diseases is not over yet. Stolberg said, "President Biden has pledged to fight the coronavirus pandemic by making the United States the “arsenal of vaccines” for the world." The worry of other countries not being vaccinated is spreading. The longer the COVID-19 is around, the more it can mutate into to strands, creating new sicknesses, that could once again put our country into panic.
The goal of the authors was to identify key determinates in vaccine uptakes. They wanted to see how people's view of the severity of the pandemic and their likeliness of getting vaccinated, changes based on where they get their information. Sources could be traditional news sources, guidance from government officials, social media, other webpages/Internet, friends or family members, or health care providers. The findings are shown under "key results" in the article. It was found that where individuals get their information does play a critical role in their perceptions towards the vaccine and the pandemic all together.
Conclusion
The point of this research is to provide a parallel for the hard times people have faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although our current pandemic seems like something we've never before seen, the reality is that history repeats itself. Society and science have united to get through medical emergencies before, and we can do it again. It is important to learn from our country and the world's past in preparing for the future. I hope people can put their differences aside and learn that we really are all fighting one battle. We all want to keep our families safe, we want to protect each other, and we want a hopeful future.
The polio epidemic showed that there will always be contrasting views on matters as serious as vaccines. There will always be fear associated with the unknown. Luckily this is why we have both government and medical leaders to help us have confidence in the decisions we make to protect ourselves and our families. Just like Dr. Salk, we have Dr. Faucci. Just like President Eisenhower, we have President Biden. We put the priority and safety of children at the top of our list then, and we are doing it again now. All of these parallels show how repetitious our past and present can be.
Even certain feelings and themes have been repeated. Fear is a scary emotion and can cause people to lose a part of their humanity. It is easy to become selfish and unsure about what decisions to make when fear is the driving emotion. In both the historic epidemic and current pandemic, individuals have had to learn to not let fear take over rationality and logical thinking. In comparison, there are also repeated themes of unity and pride. We see unity through the country coming together to fund vaccines, in hopes of protecting children. Both presidents had pride in the medical professionals and members of the community who came together in the creation of the vaccine.
The significance of this research is in the title, History Repeats itself. Our nation once faced a widespread to which there seemed to be no end. It changed all aspects of life, social, physical, mental, and emotional. Once again we have been faced with a neverending disease. This research gives viewers hope of that end, the light at the end of the tunnel. It shows what can be overcome when everyone works together against fear. In the future, our world will face more diseases. It is important to be prepared for whatever comes next.
Bibliography
Primary Sources
Alice Lake, No More Polio Panics, The (Washington District of Columbia) Evening Star, June 11, 1950.
Sydney B. Self, “American Cyanamid Discovery May Lead to Immunity to Disease,” The Wall Street Journal, October 11, 1952.
Salk, Jonas. “Annual Poliomyelitis Case and Death Rates in the States .” Atlanta: Georgia, July 1953.
“The Power of a Dime March of Dimes Polio Care and Cost,” The (Salt Lake City) Sugarhouse Bulletin, January 1, 1954.
“Important Information about Polio,” The (Roanoke, Virginia) Tribune, January 30, 1954. [Page range 5-6]
Foster Hailey, “Doctor Criticizes Polio Vaccine Use,” The New York Times, March 12, 1954.
William L. Laurance, “Polio Vaccine Test will Start Today,” The New York Times, April 26, 1954.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, “Statement by the President,” Eisenhower Library, May 31, 1955.
Oveta Culp Hobby and Leonard Andrew Scheele, “A Special Report on Polio,” NBC Television Network, 1955. https://www.loc.gov/item/mbrs00056792/.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, “Citation Given by President to Dr. Jonas E. Salk and the Nation Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.” Eisenhower Library, 1955.
Jones E. Salk, “Poliomyelitis Vaccine in the Fall of 1955,” The American Journal of Public Health, January 1956.
“Salk Sees Polio Shots Giving Long Immunity,” The (Washington District of Columbia) Evening Star, May 12, 1956.
“Polio Facts for 1956,” The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, August 3, 1956.
“Polio Shots are Available to University Students,” University of Utah Student Newspaper, May 4, 1957.
“Dr. Salk: The Portrait of a Worker,” The Salt Lake Times, July 13, 1962.
Jerome Amir Singh and Upshur, Ross E G, “The Granting of Emergency Use Designation to COVID-19 Candidate Vaccines: Implication for COVID-19 Vaccine Trials,” The (Amsterdam) Lancet Infectious Diseases, December 8, 2020.
Paul Schoenfeld, “Hope for a Brighter Future Starts with the COVID-19 Vaccine.” The (Everett, Washington) Herald Net, January 24, 2021.
Michelle Roberts, “How do we know Covid Vaccines are Safe?” BBC News, May 10, 2021.
Sungchul Park, Phillip M. Massey, and Jim P. Stimpson, “Primary Source Information about Covid-19 and a Determinant of Perception of Covid-19 Severity and Vaccine Uptake.” United States National Library of Medicine, August 10, 2021.
President Joe Biden, “Remarks by President Biden on the Authorization of the COVID-19 Vaccine for Children ages 5 to 11,” The White House, November 3, 2021.
Sheryl Gay Stolberg, “The White House Plans Major Expansion of Covid Vaccine Production,” The New York Times, November 17, 2021.
France Stead Sellers, “New Reports Confirm Threats from the Delta Variant During Pregnancy” The Washington Post, November 19, 2021.
Dr. Joshua Rosen “Should your Kids get the COVID-19 Vaccine,” The Daily Herald, November 20, 2021.
Secondary Sources
David M. Oshinsky, “Polio: An American Story,” Oxford University Press, 2005.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention, s.v. “epidemic,” and “outbreak,” accessed October 4, 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dsepd/ss1978/lesson1/section11.html
Websites Used
“Polio: Types, Causes, & Symptoms,” Healthline, accessed October 4, 2021, https://www.healthline.com/health/poliomyelitis
“The History of Vaccines,” accessed October 4, 2021, https://www.historyofvaccines.org/timeline#EVT_100303
“Principles of Epidemiology,” CDC, accessed October 4, 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dsepd/ss1978/lesson1/section11.html
“The Deadly Polio Epidemic and Why it Matters for Coronavirus,” Discover, accessed October 4, 2021, https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/the-deadly-polio-epidemic-and-why-it-matters-for-coronavirus
“Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine,” National Archives, accessed October 4, 2021, https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/research/online-documents/jonas-salk-and-polio-vaccine
“There is no Cure for Polio,” DPLA, accessed October 4, 2021, https://dp.la/primary-source-sets/there-is-no-cure-for-polio
“Polio Primary Source Set,” Emerging America, accessed October 4, 2021, https://www.emergingamerica.org/teaching-resources/polio-primary-source-set
“Polio Place,” accessed October 4, 2021, https://www.polioplace.org/history/artifacts/browse
“Polio and Parallels to the Covid-19 Pandemic,” Emerging America, accessed October 4, 2021, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fCWgs9pJvEa4NTSY1Io7Y_GPzQyBctcA/view
Scheele, L. A., NBC Television Network, United States Department Of Health, E. & Hobby, O. C. (1955) A Special Report on Polio. [Video] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/mbrs00056792/.
“CDC Museum COVID-19 Timeline,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed December 15, 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/museum/timeline/covid19.html#:~:text=December%2012%2C%202019%20A,of%20breath%20and%20fever.
Photo Credit
Pixabay: Public Domain, MintBlack4u, D. William, Tilgner Pictures, Foundry, Visuals3Dde.
Adobe Stock: Franz Massard, Tashatuvango, Silvio.
Credits:
Created with images by visuals3Dde - "covid-19 coronavirus virus" • Tilgnerpictures - "bulli bully vwbus" • Foundry - "hallway hospital medical" • DWilliam - "stone concrete stucco" • MintBlack4u - "coronavirus disease covid-2019 coronavirus corona" • PublicDomainPictures - "paper dolls paper girls"