The article commemorates the 100th anniversary of the heroic dogsled relay that transported diphtheria antitoxin serum to Nome, Alaska, during a deadly outbreak. As illness spread in this remote town, local heroes, including the dog Balto, led a treacherous journey across icebound wilderness to save lives. The event serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of vaccines, contrasting sharply with modern anti-vaccine sentiments, particularly in light of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for Health Secretary, given his history of promoting vaccine disinformation.
In 1921, before the scientific breakthrough that led to the Tdap vaccine, approximately 200,000 Americans were infected with diphtheria, and 15,000 died.
As the children of Nome and surrounding communities fell ill, and some died, the town's one doctor sent a desperate plea to state and national officials for a fresh supply of the antitoxin serum.
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