Herald's history series: Medical leaders launch 'Stop Polio' campaign

Medical leaders launch 'Stop Polio' campaign

Jonas Salk in his laboratory

This burden of fear was lifted forever when it was announced that Dr. Jonas Salk had developed a vaccine against the disease. Salk became world-famous overnight, but his discovery was the result of many years of painstaking research.

While attending medical school, Salk was invited to spend a year researching influenza. The virus that causes the flu had only recently been discovered and the young Salk was eager to learn if the virus could be deprived of its ability to infect, while still giving immunity to the illness. Salk succeeded in this attempt, which became the basis of his later work on polio.

In 1955 Salk's years of research paid off. Human trials of the polio vaccine effectively protected the subject from the polio virus. When news of the discovery was made public on April 12, 1955, Salk was hailed as a miracle worker.

Further, there was some evidence that the "killed" vaccine failed to completely immunize the patient. In the U.S., public health authorities elected to distribute the "live" oral vaccine instead of Salk's.

Dr. Salk's last years were spent searching for a vaccine against AIDS. He died on June 23, 1995 at the age of 80.

- From the Academy of Achievement

Mass Polio Immunization Program Set In Jackson

Dr. R. David Daniel has been appointed chairman of the campaign aimed at wiping out the dread disease in this area. He will be assisted by Dr. Velta Cannon.

Mrs. Dan M. Allison Jr. has been named executive secretary and Mrs. Davis Whitesides, publicity chairman.

Plans are to hold immunizations clinics from 12 noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, and Sunday, May 10.

The trivalent preparation will be used, which will give a long-lasting immunity. Through using this preparation, only two clinics will be necessary. The vaccine is taken orally on sugar cubes. It is comparable to preparation given in other areas where the monovalent strains were given in three succeeding clinics.

The program in Jackson will be held at the same time identical clinics are being held in seven other counties - Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Madison, Mitchell, McDowell and Yancey. The same type vaccine is being used in these seven counties as is being used in Jackson.

Stations will be set up and the vaccine will be administered to all persons over two months old. Although a contribution of 50 cents per dose for individuals is requested to help pay the cost of the immunization, the vaccine will be available to everyone. It will be necessary to participate in the feedings on both dates in order to obtain immunization from all types of polio.

Further details will be announced in next week's Herald.

In fact, The Sylva Herald's coverage of the " Stop Polio" campaign continued on the front pages of the next six consecutive issues.

The headline Feb. 13, 1964, read: " Stop Polio in Jackson County plans are moving forward." " Seven stations to be set up 'Stop Polio' Sunday" ran on the front page on Feb. 20, 1964.

A " Trial run is scheduled in 'Stop Polio' campaign" was announced on Feb. 27, 1964, and the paper proclaimed " Everything in readiness for 'Stop Polio' Sunday on March 5, 1964.

10,322 Here Get Vaccine; Make Up Clinic Slated

Dr. David Daniel, chairman of the campaign, termed the attendance good but said it could have been better. In order for the county to achieve a high degree of countywide immunity at least 80 percent of the population should take the vaccine.

This means that more people will need to come to make-up clinics scheduled for Sunday, March 15. The make-up clinics will be held at Sylva Elementary School and Tuckasegee Baptist Church, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Also, today (Thursday) the Sabin oral vaccine will be given at the Western Carolina College infirmary. The clinic will be for students, faculty, other persons employed by the college and anyone else for whom it is convenient.

Everyone who did not get a lump of sugar from one of the clinics on March 8 is urged to get to one of the make-up clinics on March 12 or 15.

Reasons for the relatively low attendance at the seven clinics last Sunday listed include: 1. The presence of mumps and several viruses, particularly in the Sylva and Cullowhee areas. 2. Lack of understanding that the Salk polio shots do not protect the individual as fully as does the Sabin vaccine taken by mouth, particularly regarding " carriers." " Carriers" are persons who do not actually have polio but have the virus either in the mouth and throat or large intestine, and can give the disease to another person. Sabin vaccine completely gets rid of polio in these carriers.

Also, Sabin vaccine requires no known boosters (except babies under six months), while Salk shots must be taken every two years.

The medical staff of C.J. Harris Hospital, sponsoring the campaign, issued a statement expressing sincere thanks to the hundreds of people who gave of themselves so unselfishly to help the people of Jackson County.

Throughout the day Sunday, the Stop Polio headquarters was in contact with every station, either by telephone or via two-way radios of the Rescue Squad.

Headquarters received requests for and dispensed additional supplies and vaccine. Hourly reports also were received on the number of people attending each clinic, and the information was relayed to WMSJ (now WRGC).

All supplies, vaccine and station data were checked into the headquarters office at the health department when the clinics closed after 6 p.m.

A tabulation of the age group percentages, receiving the vaccine, was reported as follows:

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