A Shadow from the Past: Polio's Threat Lingers

Polio—a fearsome viral infection known for causing paralysis and even death—has been officially eradicated in Canada for decades, primarily due to successful vaccination campaigns. However, experts warn that a recent decline in vaccination rates could reignite this terrifying disease in the country.

Pat Murray, a polio survivor infected at just nine months of age, expresses her deep concerns. "It’s ridiculous and heartbreaking to think that polio could return," she stated. Diagnosed during the height of the polio epidemic in 1953, Murray recalls being gravely ill after sharing a lollipop with her neighbor's daughter.

The Grim Reality of Polio

While many infected individuals may experience mild symptoms, others suffer severe complications like paralysis and lifelong disabilities. In Murray’s case, she now lives with post-polio syndrome (PPS), a condition that can strike decades after the initial infection, resulting in progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. Sadly, treatment options focus on managing symptoms—there is no cure.

“As time goes by, you lose more and more,” she bleakly noted, emphasizing the ongoing battle with her weakened muscles.

Survivors Unite: A Call to Action

Members of the Wildrose Polio Support Society, including Bernie Hornung and Ferne Hymanyk, joined Murray in sharing their harrowing experiences. Hornung, who faced the challenges of polio throughout childhood, humorously described a bittersweet moment when he held a 'brace-burning party' instead of a traditional sweet 16.

Hymanyk, who contracted polio at nine, shared her traumatic experience of hospitalization, far from home. The survivors are united by a common fear: the potential reemergence of polio in Canada.

Vaccination Rates in Decline: A Lose-Lose Situation

The group hopes to raise awareness about the dangers of falling vaccine rates. Murray lamented, "It’s frightening that people prefer to believe in misinformation rather than solid scientific evidence that their children can lead normal lives free of the virus." Polio was a common occurrence, particularly during summer months, until the introduction of the vaccine in 1955.

Despite significant advances, polio still lingers in parts of the world, with Afghanistan and Pakistan recording new cases. Canada saw the disease eradicated by 1994, but statistics reveal alarming trends.

Currently, about 91% of Canadian children receive the recommended polio vaccinations by their second birthday, but this figure falls short of the 95% threshold needed for effective herd immunity. Alberta has seen an even more drastic dip—polio vaccine coverage dropped from around 93% in 2017 to 85% in 2021.

The Importance of Vaccination

The polio vaccine is part of a routine immunization schedule in Canada, designed to provide robust protection against the disease. According to the CDC, receiving the full course of the vaccine offers nearly universal protection against the severe effects of polio.

With the risk of the virus flaring up again, experts underscore the urgency of achieving near-total vaccination coverage. As long as a single child remains unvaccinated, the threat persists—illustrating just how critical it is to advocate for vaccinations.

For survivors like Murray, the discovery of the vaccine was a lifeline. She recalls asking her mother whether her future children would be safe from the disease. Her mother assured her, "No, your kids will be fine." Now, the survivors plead for a future where no child has to suffer the consequences of polio again.