Vaccine Hesitancy

Mike Procter | Apr 28, 2021

In the 1950's Jonas Salk came out with a polio vaccine that was quickly tested on half a million children. No one knew of any long term side effects of the vaccine. Polio was such a dreaded disease that few people were worried about possible side effects if it meant there was a chance they could be safe from polio. As it turned out, there were some early unwanted side effects, primarily with one batch a particular company made, but research and continued development proved effective. I remember lining up in school to get the polio injection in grade 1 (1959) and then by grade 5 it was available in oral form that was taken on a sugar cube. Today, polio vaccine is given to babies as part of a range of vaccines that has eradicated many diseases in North America. We owe thanks to those brave people who rolled up their sleeves to help advance science and make polio a thing of the past. I am happy once again being part of an ongoing vaccine development to end the scourge of Covid 19. I am looking forward to receiving my second dose of the vaccine soon.

Mike Procter