On the recordApril 22, 2015
There was a story in today's Washington Post about the Salk vaccine being approved for usage in this country 50 years ago, on April 12, 1955. There was a picture of a second-grade student getting a shot as a test case in 1954. It brought back memories to me that I wanted to relate here. My father was a physician. In 1954, he gave shots to second-grade children as part of the testing of the Salk vaccine. I had a brother in the second grade. My father gave him the shot that he gave all other second-graders. I was in kindergarten. My father's mission was not to give shots beyond the second grade. So while the vaccine was in my home, he thought about giving it to me but didn't. In the spring of 1954, I came down with polio. My father never forgave himself for not giving me that vaccination. I have suffered for it ever since and will continue for the rest of my life. I relate this story to tell the American people: Vaccinate your children. Don't listen to the hysteria. Science has given us ways to stop children from getting diseases that have threatened society for generations. Do vaccinate. It is safe. ____________________
