How the Polio Vaccine Caused More Harm Than Good

Polio is an infectious viral disease that can, at times, result in paralysis (Schuelein ##-##). Most cases back then usually involved children, but it also affected older people. The disease is manifested in a number of ways. The mild forms usually include episodes of diarrhea. This can be followed by clear liquid meningitis (non-paralytic polio), or paralytic polio of various muscular groups. The virus can penetrate to the central nervous system, infecting cells that contr

In some epidemics of polio, the vaccine did not appear to have the desired effects. In some European countries, in 1953, there were 40 cases of polio in vaccinated individuals. Polio cases had increased by 80% from 1958-1959 after the introduction of mass vaccination (Poliomyelitis).

Suddenly, on April 25, 1955, the Salk vaccine jubilation was crushed when the report of 205 cases of polio associated with the vaccine was reported from Cutter Laboratories in California. 79 people were vaccinated children and the others had become infected with the disease by contact. Three-quarters of the cases were paralytic and 11 died (Global). On April 27, the Surgeon General ordered all of Cutter's vaccines off the market, and by May 8, after launching a massive investigation, the entire American vaccination program was stopped. In 1955, the program resumed, and more than 5 million people were vaccinated (Dove). As the years went on, vaccines were more effective, and cases of polio decreased all over the world. However, there were still many setbacks through the development of the vaccine (Lanka). In 1988, the World Health Organization began a global vaccination campaign to eradicate the disease that had still continued its course of minor epidemics (Global).

This paper proves how the polio vaccine had caused more harm than good. The euphoria of the people due to the development of the polio vaccine prevented them from being able to clearly see some of the negative aspects that came along with it. Polio vaccinations were not always effective, and it created problems. Early vaccinations were expensive. Some people conned other people. The vaccine was uncertain and unreliable. There were many side effects associated with the taking of the vaccine. Even though the vaccine was good, it was not perfect. Post polio was also a problem. People have been vaccinated, and were immune to polio. However, due to some of its flaws since it was a fairly new discovery at the time, people had acquired polio. After treatment, they were rid of polio, but they suffered after effects. The polio vaccine had caused more harm than good.

Research and many tests were still being conducted a

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