First Polio Mass Inoculation

Date: February 23, 1954 • Location: Pittsburgh, United States

The first mass inoculation of children against polio with the Salk vaccine begins in Pittsburgh.

Poliomyelitis, commonly shortened to polio, is a vaccine-preventable infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. Approximately 75% of cases are asymptomatic; mild symptoms which can occur include sore throat and fever; in a proportion of cases more severe symptoms develop such as headache, neck stiffness, and paresthesia. These symptoms usually pass within one or two weeks. A less common symptom is permanent paralysis, and possible death in extreme cases. Years after recovery, post-polio syndrome may occur, with a slow development of muscle weakness similar to what the person had during the initial infection.