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In 1956, Elvis Presley was vaccinated against polio on television to set an example

2020-12-27T06:34:41.326Z


On October 28, 1956, the future international rock'n'roll star was injected with a dose of vaccine in order to educate young people about the dan


"It's a very special day, I feel euphoric," Sir Ian McKellen said a few days ago.

The 81-year-old British actor, famous - in particular - for having played Gandalf in the "Lord of the Rings", had just been vaccinated in front of the photographers, against the coronavirus.

In the United States, where a million patients have already been "stung", politicians have also set an example: President-elect Joe Biden on December 21, but also current Vice-President Mike Pence.

In France, the first vaccinations begin this Sunday, December 26.

In 1956, a flirtatious smile, the one we do not yet nickname "The King" rolled up the left sleeve of his black sweater with a red collar.

To his left, the New York Health Commissioner holds his arm at elbow level.

To his right, Dr. Harold Fuerst squeezes his skin with one hand and pricks his arm with the other.

On October 28, 1956, before the eyes of tens of millions of viewers glued to CBS, Elvis Presley was vaccinated against polio.

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America then lives to the rhythm of its first singles and James Bond novels, and is preparing to re-elect Dwight "Ike" Eisenhower at its head.

But polio, recently eradicated from the African continent, is wreaking havoc.

In 1952, nearly 60,000 people fell ill.

22,000 of them were paralyzed and over 3,000 died.

The terrible images of hundreds of emaciated children and young adults lying on stretchers in hospitals move America.

The savior is called Jonas Salk.

In 1953, the prestigious biologist and his team of scientists developed an effective vaccine against polio.

Children are bitten massively, but adolescents and young adults seem more reluctant.

Almost 70 years before Covid-19, these age groups feel - wrongly - invincible in the face of the disease.

Who better than Elvis to speak to them?

At that time, the child from Memphis was barely 20 years old but he already had everything of a star.

His title "Heartbreak Hotel", released in January 1956, puts the dancing evenings into a trance.

Adored by a large part of the youth, the future king of rock 'n' roll accepts the challenge.

Appointment is taken on the stage of the "Ed Sullivan Show", the musical program of CBS where the stars in the making parade.

With his swaying style, Elvis is adored by American youth. / Christophel Collection via AFP  

The young singer knows this show well.

He participated in it for the first time on September 9, 1956. 60 million viewers, often young, were amazed by his style and his provocative sway, which contrasted with the conservative values ​​then dominant in Eisenhower's America.

The channel has also been tempted to censor its image at waist level, which it will do later for fear of shocking part of its family audience.

But we do not stop like that the twists suggestive of "Elvis the Pelvis".

Everything smiles on the new national star.

He even pocketed $ 50,000 (41,000 euros) for three appearances in the CBS program, a never-before-seen stamp to bring an artist to television.

Immunization rate jumps among young people after Elvis

For the show's second on October 28, host Ed Sullivan recovered from his serious car accident and returned to his job.

Just before performing "Don't Be Cruel" and "Love Me Tender", Elvis Presley lends his left arm for a good cause.

Polio has become a national emergency.

"He sets a good example for the young people of the country", rejoices the Commissioner for Health of New York.

The press cannot miss such an event.

“Elvis Presley got a lot of attention yesterday.

Among other things, he received a polio vaccine, courtesy of the city, ”writes The New York Times.

Photos also show him in the hospital visiting teenagers in wheelchairs.

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The impact exceeds the expectations of doctors.

In a year and a half, the vaccination rate against polio increases to 80% among young people.

"This success shows that it is possible to reach groups that are difficult to reach, provided you do it in the right way," said historian Stephen Mawdsley.

Any myth has its limits, even that of Elvis Presley.

Other factors also convinced young people to get vaccinated.

Several adolescents have notably set up the group "Teens Against Polio", which has organized door-to-door operations across the country.

Protected from polio but devastated by liver problems and stunned by drugs, Elvis died of a heart attack in 1974. Whatever some die-hards may think, who have hardly been immune to extravagant theses and still believe so living.

Source: leparis

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