The Parallels of the Polio, Smallpox and Covid-19 Epidemics

A literature review that details the historical events of vaccine development and vaccine effectiveness for the polio, smallpox, and covid-19 epidemics. In late December of 2019, a novel coronavirus began spreading from country to country, manifesting into a pandemic. The race to develop a coronavirus vaccine has left many Americans divided, stemming from a distrust of science and political affiliation. However, the significance of the coronavirus and its impacts on livelihood mirrors that of two prior viruses: polio and smallpox. To combat smallpox, Edward Jenner developed a vaccine in 1796 that eventually led to the eradication of smallpox. To combat polio, Jonas Salk developed a vaccine in 1953, decreasing polio cases by 99% and eliminating polio from the United States. At the time of these vaccine developments, many individuals exuded emotions of fear and uncertainty due to newly developed technology and the incorporation of live or inactivated viruses entering their system. Despite the fear, society has witnessed the effectiveness of these vaccinations. Yet, the advancement of technology and fears of new technology are far from over. Just as individuals feared vaccines in 1796, the development of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine has seemingly invoked similar attitudes.