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A detailed timeline about the Polio pandemic, how it came to be, and where it is today. Along with how society and communities changed during and after the polio vaccine was created and distributed.
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The disease was first characterized by physician, Michael Underwood. Although not given a name or recognized until many years later. Polio has been around since BC age, but did not become epidemic until the rise of cities and living close to one another.
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18 deaths and 132 cases of permanent paralysis in Rutland County. This was the first known outbreak in the USA
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This was a machine to try to restore the ability to breathe to paralyzed polio patients. This was a simple, air-tight chamber that regulates air pressure. The photo is in image of the iron lung machine. this turned out to be noneffective but still groundbreaking work. -
today the iron lung is not used in medicine. Although, patients at the time would spend 2 weeks in the machine. Here is another picture of the iron lung and how it was used in some hospitals. Very heavy machinery, and progressive technology for this time. -
Did not end in successful polio vaccine although two separate teams were working on developing and testing a polio vaccine.
Maurice Brodie, MD tested vaccine on chimpanzees and then children. 22,000 people were enrolled in this trial.
John Kolmer, MD developed a trial on 10,000 children.
In both trials, people died, had horrible reactions, and became paralyzed. -
the Mercury dime was replaced with the FDR dime, which we use today. This was done in order to honor and thank President FDR for the way he helped beat polio and his leadership -
Dr. Jonas Salk began to develop a vaccine, which later became the first effective vaccine in science. This led to public vaccination and the beginning of the end of polio numbers increasing. This vaccine inevitably cause immediate decrease from 35,000 cases to only 5,300 in 1957. The photo is of Dr Jonas Salk. -
Dr. Jonas Salk and his team at the University of Pittsburg released the first successful vaccine. This was the turning point for the epidemic. This is Dr Salk in action with the vaccine he created. He will always be remembered for his breakthrough and contribution to society. -
Dr. Albert Sabin (pictured) created the orally administered polio vaccine. This was another large breakthrough. Sabin can be seen holding the oral tablet in the picture. A very incredible accomplishment that changed and saved the lives of many. -
This was a huge deal for America and a large landmark case. It provided $36 million dollars towards providing free vaccines for polio and childhood diseases. This was in hopes to quickly and effectively vaccinate as many people as possible in order to provide prevention to society.
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An act passed in 1973 to help bring a new consumer based approach to health care. This changed society because it inflicted the idea that medical care is a basic human right that every person needs and deserves.
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CDC created an annual infant immunization week. This week emphasizes the importance of protecting infants and toddlers through vaccinating them at a young age. This is still happening today and its purpose is to encourage parents to vaccinate their children in hopes to limit the spread of disease and potential long term health affects that are unnecessary.
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no cases of polio have been originated in the United States since 1979
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Polio had been eradicated in the US, UK, Australia and a significant amount of Europe. Still prevalent in 125 countries but. Plan to be eradicated by the year 2000.
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A political movement to establish reasonable and safe use of public space. This idea was created by architect and polio survivor, Ron Mace. Society shifted largely with this idea because it began adapting the public to being more functional for polio victims. this included ramps, speaker phones, handles rather than knobs. The photo encourages the principles of Universal Design and the benefits and purpose of the concept. -
The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed and gave legal rights and protection to people with disabilities. Polio opened the eyes of many on the need for accessibility to those with disabilities, physical and mental.
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Universal design was incorporated into the Assistive Technology Act of 2004. This was in efforts to give everybody accessibility in their communities such as in store, home, school, and more. This gives more opportunities for the disabled to get involved in activities in their communities without interference. This is a photo of Ron Mace, the brains behind Universal Design concept. -
No new cases have been reported in Africa for the past year, Polio is still an endemic in only TWO countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan.