Public Health Responses

As poliomyelitis spread across the country, governing bodies responded in various ways. For example, the State of Idaho Department of Health responded to the outbreak of polio in Idaho in three ways: one, they sought to disseminate information regarding the disease, its impact, and the vaccines that were eventually developed. Two, they isolated the virus among the Idaho population to determine which strain of the polio virus was present. Three, they ensured that the vaccines (once available) were delivered to as many Idahoans as possible.

Information was delivered in a bi-monthly publication known as the Idaho Health Bulletin. This publication offered information and advice regarding a wide variety of public health issues, including infectious disease, dental issues, drug use, and fire safety. As polio began to make its way into Idaho, the publication was used to inform people about the disease and its vaccines.

In 1960, an effort was undertaken to isolate the virus among Idahoans. This project was described in an edition of the Idaho Health Bulletin issued January 6, 1961: “A total of 76 stool specimens were tested by the virus laboratory during 1960. In addition to 22 virus isolations from specimens from 19 patients, an isolate from one patient has not yet been identified.” [1] This effort to isolate the virus was heavily encouraged by the Idaho Department of Health: “Gem state physicians are urged to submit specimens on all reported polio cases as well as on other suspected cases, since the laboratory finings are valuable in confirming diagnoses, and the information can be of predictive help for the next polio season. The usefulness of the date increases progressively as reporting becomes increasingly more complete.” [1]

As the vaccines for polio’s two most common variants became ubiquitous across the nation, the Idaho Department of Health sought to ensure access to all Idahoans, a goal which was frequently frustrated by lack of understanding of the vaccines: “In prevaccine days, polio spread over lare areas and attacked all groups. Today, the attack rates are highest in nonwhite groups and among lower income groups and persons with little education. The concept of immunization has just not reached these population groups effectively, and so has not led them to the decision to be vaccinated.” [2]

In 1959, a campaign was launched to explore the reasons why people were hesitant to get vaccinated: “Sociological studies point out two broad classes of factors which determine the decision of persons to be immunized. These are personal readiness factors and social and situational factors.” Several examples of each class are listed in the Idaho Health Bulletin. Examples of personal readiness factors are the belief that polio only affected children, the belief that polio was actually under control and so vaccinations were unnecessary, and a general mistrust in the safety or effectiveness of the vaccine. Examples of social and situational factors include both social pressure and convenience.

The response of the Idaho Department of Health to the presence of poliomyelitis in Idaho offers insight into the general responses of governing bodies across the nation, primarily focusing on educating their populations towards the dangers of the disease and the importance of immunization.

Chad Whitaker, June 2021