© 2026 All Rights reserved WUSF
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Thanks to you, WUSF is here — delivering fact-based news and stories that reflect our community.⁠ Your support powers everything we do.

Polio Survivor Recalls Era Before Salk Vaccine

Fifty years ago this week scientists announced the discovery of the polio vaccine. The disease -- also known as infantile paralysis -- affected thousands of children annually. Polio survivor Brian Fitzgerald tells Jennifer Ludden about his memories of the era before Dr. Jonas Salk's polio vaccine.

Copyright 2005 NPR

NPR National Correspondent Jennifer Ludden covers economic inequality, exploring systemic disparities in housing, food insecurity and wealth.
Our daily newsletter, delivered first thing weekdays, keeps you connected to your community with news, culture, national NPR headlines, and more.