There has been lots of talk in the past few decades about vaccines. Recently, it’s all been about the COVID vaccines. Long before that, though, there was debate over state mandated vaccinations of children before going to school. Strong opinions have been voiced on both sides of the issue and will probably never be fully resolved. However, there is no doubt that one vaccine introduced on this day in 1954 was one of the best things that could have ever been developed.
“Poliomyelitis has existed for thousands of years, with depictions of the disease in ancient art. The disease was first recognized as a distinct condition by the English physician Michael Underwood in 1789, and the virus that causes it was first identified in 1909 by the Austrian immunologist Karl Landsteiner. Major outbreaks started to occur in the late 19th century in Europe and the United States, and in the 20th century, it became one of the most worrying childhood diseases.”1
The progression of the disease causes muscle weakness, paralysis, and malformations. Post-polio syndrome can occur years later after the initial infection. This causes further weakening of muscles and further attacks on the central nervous system.
A young politician contracted polio in 1921. His name was Franklin D. Roosevelt, and he became the 32nd President in 1932. Roosevelt had to use leg braces and a wheelchair because of what the polio had done to him. In the late 1940s, Roosevelt helped to found the March of Dimes, an organization that was looking for a cure. They were able to enlist the help of Dr. Jonas Salk, head of the Virus Research Lab at the University of Pittsburgh. Salk developed the vaccine that would prevent the disease.
“After mass inoculations began in 1954, everyone marveled at the high success rate—some 60-70 percent—until the vaccine caused a sudden outbreak of some 200 cases. After it was determined that the cases were all caused by one faulty batch of the vaccine, production
standards were improved, and by August 1955 some 4 million shots had been given. Cases of polio in the U.S. dropped from 14,647 in 1955 to 5,894 in 1956, and by 1959 some 90 other countries were using Salk’s vaccine.”2
While there is no cure for those who have been infected by polio, new cases have all but been eliminated thanks to Salk’s discovery.
As I considered this day in history, it brought to mind a miracle from the pages of Scripture. Mark 2:1-5 tells the story. “And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. (2) And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. (3) And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. (4) And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. (5) When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” The word “palsy” means “a paralytic; one who is weak of limb.”3 Could this have been an early occurrence of polio?
Jesus’ forgiveness of the man’s sins upset the Pharisees and they believed Jesus was speaking blasphemy. Jesus turned the tables on them, revealing their judgmental darkened hearts. “And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? (9) Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? (10) But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) (11) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. (12) And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.” (Mark 2:8-12)
If you’ve ever seen someone with polio, you’ve seen the deteriorated, shriveled limbs that have been affected. Imagine what immediate healing would have looked like. Muscle tone instantly appears. That which is crooked is straightened. Strength courses through the limb that has been “dead” for years. Balance and agility instantly returned. This is why it’s called a miracle. No vaccine could ever produce these results! “We never saw it on this fashion!”
God’s healing is perfect and there is coming a day soon where all God’s children will experience that perfect healing. What a day that will be when “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polio
2https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/children-receive-first-polio-vaccine
3Thayer’s Greek Dictionary
Images are taken from https://pixabay.com/, https://www.pexels.com/, or https://unsplash.com/images or created in Windows Copilot. According to the websites, they are Royalty Free and free to be used for our purposes.
