Swine flu, 1976

Swine flu is big news these days. But those of us that were around for our bicentennial may remember that there was a swine flu outbreak back then. Salon.com has a great story about this 1976 swine flu epidemic that never really was.

In January of 1976 a young soldier from Fort Dix, NJ died of a swine flu. The ensuing uncertainty, politics, and panic (officials were likening this flu to the 1918 worldwide pandemic) lead to 40 million people being immunized with a swine flu vaccine in the fall of 1976. A few weeks after the mass immunizations began, reports appeared that some people had developed Guillain-Barré syndrome, a paralyzing neuromuscular disorder, causing the program to come to a halt.

The ironic thing is that science had already shown that this particular swine flu was not very virulent. What did we learn from this 1976 fiasco? While it is good to be vigilant and prepare for the worst, we shouldn't overreact.

—Michael Hanson, senior scientist

Keep up with our swine flu updates.

Image: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Comments

[Linda Farb]

So, are the people who got the 1976 swine flu vaccine immune to this new swine flu?

[Lisa Lopez]

I'm also wondering why no mention has been made in the media of the 1976 vaccinations. My husband and I received the swine flu vaccine in 1976 and did not experience any adverse reaction. However, is there still a trace of the vaccine in our body and will it have an effect on this strain?

[Cathy Smith]

I was a student at the University of Delaware (ironically; that's the school that currently has 10 probable cases of the swine flu) in 1976 when I received the swine flu vaccine and ended up in the school infirmary for a week with every reaction on the list to it except paralysis (so I was told).

I agree completely with the previous statements about overreacting. I find it curious, also, that the mainstream media is not mentioning the 1976 vaccination campaign. Was wondering if receiving that vaccine 30 years ago has any effect whatsoever on today's strain? Or if there are any reports on long-term problems associated with getting that vaccine? Just curious.

[Frank S. Rosenbloom, MD]

Amen brother! I have an article pending on this. Time and again the public health officials foment panic and overreact. More people died of the vaccine than the flu in 1976. Of course, I am not saying we should not vaccinate. But enough of the panic.