The Polio Vaccine

     "Polio" the Mayo Clinc defines as "a contagious viral illness that in it's most severe form causes paralysis, difficulty breathing, and sometimes death." It was a disease that had the potential to effect the lives of every post World War I American.  It was an infection that spread like wildfire, causing multiple epidemics to break out across the country.  The country was in trouble, as more and more children were inflicted with the disease due to the often unsanitary conditions they create and are subject to in school, and such places.

     Interestingly enough, Dr. Jonas Salk of the University of Pittsburgh was the man that would undertake the mission.  While many had tried and failed to combat polio, Dr. Salk would not accept defeat.  His study of immunology at the University in 1947 quickly transitioned to a full time concentration on the polio virus.  

Dr. Salk

     He was a man obsessed with developing a vaccination for this seemingly unbeatable illness  Backed by funding from the March of Dimes (instituted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a polio victim himself), the doctor began  his rise to greatness.  In 1949 Salk’s research took a step forward when  a method for growing the polio virus in cell culture was determined, as opposed to using monkey for the research (as the primates were known to easily acquire the virus).  The problem Salk now had, was finding a way to neutralize the virus just enough for it to be safe enough to use in a vaccine.  It took Dr. Salk until 1952, but he was finally able to concoct what no man before him could: a successful vaccine against the polio virus.

Salk w/ Vaccine

     It was not the end though, as the vaccine still had to pass through clinical trials to be deemed truly safe for the public.  In event like no other seen before it, and probably never again,  Salk’s vaccine was tested on a massive scope of individuals in 1954, starting with those of Pittsburgh.  Yes, the citizens of Pittsburgh were the first to offer up themselves and their children to the polio vaccine.  The same city of Pittsburgh that donated not only money, but their work and time to Dr. Salk, donated themselves as well.  

Vaccination

     Thanks to the brilliant and careful work of Jonas Salk, the vaccine was in large part a success.  Cases of polio fell across the nation in each test group.  Because of these results the government quickly okayed the distribution of the vaccine.  After some minor falters in it’s first stage, the refinement of the vaccine led to a massive wipe out of the polio virus, and even it’s overall eradication from the United States in 1979.  

     This was a huge victory for Jonas Salk, which meant victory for both the University of Pittsburgh, and the city as well.  The amount of attention and praise blessed upon the Pitt Medical School after this great triumph continue to reward it with reverence and high standing nearly half a century later.  The city of Pittsburgh it’s self is also rewarded by this attention, as it’s hospitals and overall medical care is highly regarded as well, making it a top medical city in the United States.  Because of these two factors the city itself overall is blessed with wonderful medical care from those who know of the rich medical history, and are interested in following in the footsteps of Dr. Jonas Salk.

UPMC Medical Center