The Most Powerful Photograph Against Vaccine Hesitancy, Ever (1953)

During my journey to document vaccines, I came across a few cases of vaccine hesitancy (reluctance or refusal to be vaccinated). As a photographer, I am obviously looking for a frame that is powerful but also positive enough to break the ice. I have not yet succeeded, at least not convincingly. However, an unknown photographer did it 67 years ago. And it quickly became my all-time favorite image to combat vaccine hesitancy.

Dr. Jonas Salk and his colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh developed a method for cultivating poliovirus in monkey kidney tissue in 1951. The method would enable the production of large quantities of viruses for the vaccine.

Dr. Hilary Koprowski of Lederle Laboratories had already tested his attenuated Type II poliovirus vaccine on himself (1948) as well as 20 children at the time (February 27, 1950). However, Dr. Koprowski’s methods sparked considerable debate among those working on experimental vaccines. Many thought that testing a live vaccine in human subjects was premature, and some objected to testing the vaccine on institutionalized children, despite the fact that this practice was common at the time.

Dr. Salk and his colleagues began human trials of their killed-virus polio vaccine in 1952, with funding from the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. The subjects were physically and mentally disabled children who lived in institutions. Salk tested the vaccine against all three strains of polio, some together and some separately. Their findings revealed that vaccine recipients produced antibodies to the virus type contained in the vaccine. Salk’s findings provided some evidence for larger trials.

In the same year, there was a polio outbreak in the United States. There were 57,628 polio cases reported, with over 21,000 of them paralytic. This epidemic increased parents’ fear of the disease and heightened public awareness of the need for a vaccine.

Some media reports immediately following the outbreak suggested that a polio vaccine was nearly ready for widespread use. On March 26, 1953, Dr. Salk went on the radio to deflate the nation’s hopes. “Although progress has been rapid than we had any right to expect,” he insisted, “there will be no vaccine available for widespread use for the next polio season.”

During this time, Dr. Salk rose to prominence as the most well-known scientific name associated with the search for a vaccine. But fame and success have their detractors. Others working on live, attenuated polio vaccines were envious of Salk’s public profile and objected to his killed-virus approach. They claimed that Salk’s vaccine would fail to provide long-term polio protection and that the use of a virulent Type 1 (Mahoney) virus strain posed a risk.

Dr. Salk recognized that his colleagues would be the greatest impediment to his success. If the public is persuaded by their words, there will be widespread vaccine skepticism across the country. To deal with the situation, he took a drastic but effective step. “I will be personally responsible for the vaccine,” Jonas Salk assured the public. Dr. Salk administered his experimental poliovirus vaccine to himself, his wife, and their three sons.

The photograph, taken by an unknown photographer, shows Peter Salk receiving a polio vaccine shot from his father, while his mother and Dr. Salk’s first wife, Donna Lindsay, observe.

Peter Salk

This is, in my opinion, the most powerful yet positive photograph against vaccine hesitancy in the history of immunization. Not only from a historical standpoint, but also from a compositional standpoint. Already, the horizontal framing provides a sense of stability. Except for Dr. Salk, the body language of all three subjects shows how much they rely on him. Peter was beaming. He was enjoying himself and having a good time. Donna Lindsay appeared to be relaxed yet upbeat, placing both of her hands on Peter’s thigh to reassure him. Dr. Salk was composed and calm. And the nurse assisting Dr. Salk was optimistic and focused on her work, ensuring that the sleeve did not fall. She did, however, remember to place her right hand on Peter’s left shoulder as a sign of assurance and comfort. She must be a senior and experienced staff. Three of the four were seated and very close to the ground. In the photograph, all three adults formed a triangle. Because we are afraid of falling against gravity, a triangle with a horizontal base always gives us a sense of stability. And the triangle’s two diagonals are dynamic because they imply motion or tension. This triangle indicates that the image contains tension as well as a sense of confidence or stability. Peter was perfectly positioned in the triangle’s center. As the central character, he was safe and protected by the arms of the triangle.

It is clear that these theoretical perspectives of visual literacy may not be present in the conscious mind of that unknown photographer. However, these are compositional techniques. And techniques must be practiced in order to run in the subconscious mind and create a powerful composition. When a viewer observes or reads a photograph, all of these compositional elements play their roles in the unconscious level of their mind. The photographer here did an excellent job. He/she made me read the image. That’s how a two-dimensional, static image was transformed into a powerful narrator.

Polio was once thought to be one of the most scary health problems in the world. On April 25, 1954, the Vaccine Advisory Committee approved a field test of Salk’s polio vaccine. The trial began the next day with the vaccination of thousands of schoolchildren. In all, over 1.3 million children participated in the randomized trial. And certainly, Dr. Salk’s three children were the torchbearers.

Jonathan Salk
This is another characteristic triangle frame of the unknown photographer, where Jonathan Salk receives the polio shot from his father on the same day. The only difference we can observe is that the body language which changed as the age decreases and the response of the kid. Image @  UC San Diego Library.

In January 2016, the Giesel Library of California displayed exhibits that Dr. Salk used or that were related to him or his work. There were files on polio, his writings and philosophy, photographs, artifacts (like two dictating machines), personal writings, and many other things that can be used for research. The above photograph by Jonathan Salk was included in the exhibition. Even in that exhibition, the photographer’s name was not mentioned.

Dr. Jonas Salk did not patent his polio vaccine, and neither did the photographer ask for credit. For the sake of mankind. Their inventiveness, however, is juxtaposed in a single image.

The photographer is most likely no longer with us. Therefore, as a photographer, I pay homage to that unidentified person by recalling his or her humble efforts to photograph one of the greatest humans in history while on a mission.

Thanks to both of you for being an inspiration to us!!!

Source: The Atlantic; WCSA World; History of vaccines; UC San Diego Library; March of Dime Foundation.