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Polio's Shadow: The Return of a Childhood Fear?
22 Feb
Summary
- Polio vaccine inventor Jonas Salk's 1954 trial tested nearly 2 million children.
- Herd immunity is crucial for protecting unvaccinated and immunocompromised individuals.
- An unvaccinated man was paralyzed in New York four years ago due to polio.
Polio, a once-feared disease, poses a renewed threat as vaccination rates decline. The development of the polio vaccine by Dr. Jonas Salk in 1954 and Dr. Albert Sabin in 1961 dramatically reduced cases. However, complacency has led to a concerning rise in vaccine exemptions.
Historians note the immense public trust in early vaccine trials, with nearly two million children participating. This contrasts with today's vaccine hesitancy. The virus still circulates globally, and an international traveler brought it to an under-vaccinated community in New York just four years ago, resulting in paralysis for an unvaccinated individual.
Protecting the population relies on herd immunity, which shields those who cannot be vaccinated. Despite state mandates for school attendance, increased exemptions raise concerns about polio's potential resurgence. Experts emphasize that the virus is only a plane ride away and can return if a significant portion of the population remains unvaccinated.
