The historical record of the enterovirus poliovirus traces as far back as 1580 B.C.1 The modern record began in 1879 when the clinical effects of the poliovirus were first described by British physician Dr. Michael Underwood. By 1840, Dr. Jacob von Heine had developed the theory that the disease may be contagious. More than 50 years later in 1894, the first outbreak of infantile paralysis was documented in the U.S.
In 1938, the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis was established and later became the March of Dimes. It would be nearly 20 more years before Dr. Jonas Salk developed the first injectable, inactivated polio vaccine in 1955. In 1961 Dr. Albert Sabin developed the live oral polio vaccine (OPV) and it rapidly became the vaccine of choice and has remained the vaccine of choice in developing countries.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative2 marks 1991 as the last case of wild polio infection in the Americas, 1997 as the last case of wild polio in the Western Pacific region, and 1998 as the last case of a child paralyzed by the wild poliovirus in the European region.
Yet, while the polio vaccine program appears to have significantly reduced wild poliovirus, outbreaks continue to occur, suggesting it may be time to rethink the polio vaccine program.
Vaccine-Derived Polio Challenges Old Protocols
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative3 was launched in 1988 following the World Health Assembly’s resolution to eradicate the disease. They have public and private partners including the World Health Organization, Rotary International, the U.S. CDC, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and GAVI.4
Yet, after more than 30 years, polio continues to infect and paralyze people — but it isn’t the wild virus doing all the damage. The vaccine program has been an unsuccessful multibillion-dollar fight. Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, says eradication may never happen because the viruses are “smarter than we are.”5
In 1994, the Americas were declared polio-free, but a young man in New York contracted the virus and was paralyzed in 2022.6 The challenge is the vaccine-derived poliovirus. The CDC7 describes how the weakened virus from an OPV can replicate in an immunodeficient individual and “revert to a form that causes illness and paralysis.” Health officials say this is more likely to happen when the virus circulates in under- or non-immunized populations.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative8 describes the OPV program as having “brought the wild poliovirus to the brink of eradication.” Unfortunately, the virus refuses to go over the edge. Instead, it is doing exactly what the CDC described and has reverted to a more dangerous virus that public health experts have found in the U.S. and 15 European countries,9 including the U.K.10
The virus spreads through sewage in areas with poor sanitation. But that’s not the only place it’s been found. According to NPR,11 the poliovirus has been detected in wastewater in Rockland and Orange Counties, New York, and New York City. Offit told NPR that health officials were aware that the virus in the OPV could mutate but the vaccine campaigns continued anyway. He explained:
“We were seduced by the fact that it was cheap. It caused contact immunity. It was easy to give. And so we thought, ‘We can eliminate this disease in the world.’ We released the dragon, and the dragon was the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus.”
Vaccine-Induced Polio Has Replaced the Wild Virus
According to NPR,12 in some places of the world, only 5% of children are up to date on their childhood immunizations. Those are the areas where the less expensive oral polio vaccine is more commonly used and where many of the current outbreaks are occurring.
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In the early years, public health officials felt the spread of the weakened poliovirus was a benefit of using the OPV. They hoped it would immunize the unvaccinated children who were exposed.13 But instead of helping to eradicate the disease, the weakened virus mutated, regained strength and is now just as dangerous as the wild-type poliovirus.
In 2022, the WHO reported 30 cases of confirmed wild-type polio infections14 but there were 791 cases of vaccine-derived polio,15 which they reported as Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP).16 Using data from the World Health Organization, NPR produced17 an interactive bar graph that demonstrates how vaccine-derived cases of poliovirus outnumber cases of the wild virus, most significantly starting in 2017 during an outbreak in Syria.
The injected polio vaccine does not shed the virus in the same way that the OPV does. However, it’s also more expensive and out of reach for most developing countries. In 2021, another oral polio vaccine was developed and introduced, which experts hope will be less likely to mutate. Aiden O’Leary is the director for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, and true to the stated focus of many of the Initiative’s partners, O’Leary says:18
“But the backbone of our approach is really this house-to-house coverage [with oral vaccine]. It has been demonstrated over time that this is the best means of ensuring that we’re able to reach each and every child. And that is fundamentally the key to actually achieving the goals we’ve set for ourselves.”
In other words, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s answer to vaccine-derived poliovirus is more vaccines. Konstantin Chumakov, former associate director for research at the FDA Office of Vaccines, disagrees, telling NPR: “If we keep doing the same thing, expecting different results, that’s a recipe for failure.”
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Zulfiqar Bhutta, founding director of the Institute for Global Health and Development at the Aga Khan University in Pakistan, agrees. House-to-house campaigns cannot continue indefinitely. He notes that people have asked “Why are you coming every few months with these vaccine doses that we have already had and then kids are getting the paralytic polio despite the vaccine?”19
Yet, Chumakov also believes that stopping the vaccine program is also not the answer. Even if polio is eradicated from the planet, Chumakov warns that polio is easily manufactured in a lab and could be used as a bioweapon. He thinks the polio vaccine cannot be stopped, “No, they will have to continue forever, everywhere, indefinitely.”20
Acute Flaccid Myelitis Is a Polio-Like Illness
Just five years before vaccine-derived cases of poliovirus overtook wild cases in number, the first outbreaks of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) were reported across multiple global regions.21 According to the CDC,22 the condition causes the body to become weak, with loss of muscle tone and reflexes. Some people experience difficulty moving their eyes, difficulty with swallowing or pain in the arms, legs, neck or back.
AFM can cause life-threatening respiratory failure and serious neurological complications. It is vital if you or your child develops these symptoms that you seek medical attention immediately. There is no cure or treatment for the condition.23 The goal is to manage symptoms and provide respiratory support.
This polio-type illness mainly affects children. In 2014, the CDC24 began tracking cases in the U.S. and recorded 120 confirmed cases in 34 states. That number jumped to 153 cases in 2016. Between 2014 and 2919, the virus appeared to infect many more people every other year. In 2018 there were 238 total confirmed cases in 42 states. Since then, the number has stayed at less than 50, with 28 confirmed cases in 2021 and 44 in 2022.
The CDC formed a task force in 201825 to assist in the effort to define the cause and improve patient outcomes. However, according to the CDC website, the task force page was last updated on September 30, 2021, and the activities listed are the clinical treatment and etiology goals but no accomplishments.
The move to create the task force was likely prompted in part by criticism from parents and scientists for the CDC’s lack of an effective response.26 While the number of cases has fallen to below 50 for four consecutive years, as we have seen with vaccine-derived poliovirus infections, this is not a guarantee that the number will stay low.
Could Vaccines Provoke AFM?
In a paper published in the BMJ, Dr. Allan S. Cunningham suggests we may need a new approach to making vaccine recommendations.27 He was referring to the outbreak of AFM, which at the end of 2015 totaled 142 cases in the previous two years.
He suggested a phenomenon known as provocation poliomyelitis, which describes an increased risk of neurological complications known to occur when a person infected with poliovirus receives an injury to a skeletal muscle. He suggests the injury could derive from an injection from a vaccine. As noted in the Journal of Virology in 1998:28
“Skeletal muscle injury is known to predispose its sufferers to neurological complications of concurrent poliovirus infections. This phenomenon, labeled ‘provocation poliomyelitis,’ continues to cause numerous cases of childhood paralysis due to the administration of unnecessary injections to children in areas where poliovirus is endemic.
Recently, it has been reported that intramuscular injections may also increase the likelihood of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis in recipients of live attenuated poliovirus vaccines.”
Interestingly, in less than 1% of cases, poliovirus will invade the central nervous system and cause paralysis.29 Most cases produce a mild illness with a sore throat, low-grade fever, fatigue, nausea and other flu-like symptoms that disappear in 10 days. In some cases, polio can occur with relatively no symptoms. This means that some people receiving vaccinations could have an underlying polio infection at the time and not even know it.
The poliovirus is only one type of enterovirus. There are more than 100 non-polio enteroviruses,30 most of which cause mild illness. However, some can infect the nervous system and cause paralysis. Because they are one of the most prevalent viruses in the world,31 it’s likely that some children receiving vaccinations are infected at the time of injection, possibly without symptoms or only mild fever or flu-like symptoms.
Is it possible that provocation poliomyelitis could occur in children vaccinated while infected with a non-polio enterovirus? It’s a question that deserves a closer look. As Cunningham explained:32
“PP [provocation poliomyelitis] was most convincingly documented by Austin Bradford Hill and J. Knowelden during the 1949 British polio epidemic when the risk of paralytic polio was increased twenty fold among children who had received the DPT injection. Similar observations were made by Greenberg and colleagues in New York City; their literature review cited suspected cases as far back as 1921.
AFM may result from a direct virus attack on the spinal cord, or by an immune attack triggered by a virus, or by something else. If a polio-like virus is circulating in the U.S., the possibility of its provocation by one or more vaccines has to be considered.”
- 1, 2 Global Polio Eradication Initiative, History of Polio, Interactive timeline
- 3 Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Our Mission
- 4 Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Section 4
- 5, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20 NPR, April 10, 2023
- 6, 11 NPR, August 17, 2022
- 7 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus, subhead 1
- 8 Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus
- 9 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, August 16, 2022
- 10 WHO, June 22, 2022
- 14 World Health Organization, Global Wild Poliovirus 2017-2023
- 15 World Health Organization, [Global Circulating Vaccine‐derived Poliovirus (cVDPV)
- 16 National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Acute Flaccid Paralysis
- 21 Lancet, 2021; 397(10271)
- 22 CDC, About Acute Flaccid Myelitis, Symptoms
- 23 Cleveland Clinic, Acute Flaccid Myelitis
- 24 CDC, AFM Tracking and Outbreaks
- 25 CDC, CDC Acute Flaccid Myelitis Task Force Activities
- 26 New York Post, November 14, 2018
- 27, 32 The BMJ, 2015; 350:h308
- 28 Journal of Virology, 1998; 72(6)
- 29 CDC, Poliomyelitis, Clinical Features
- 30 Current Opinion of Infectious Disease, 2015;28(5)
- 31 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Factsheet
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
