Swine Flu 1976

About Swine Flu 1976

In February 1976, an influenza outbreak at Fort Dix, New Jersey killed one soldier and sickened approximately 230. The virus was identified as a swine flu strain similar to the 1918 pandemic virus. President Ford ordered a nationwide vaccination campaign. Approximately 45 million Americans were vaccinated. The pandemic never materialized. However, several hundred vaccinated individuals developed Guillain Barre Syndrome, a neurological disorder, an excess risk of roughly 1 case per 100,000 vaccinations. The program was halted in December 1976. The swine flu fiasco damaged public confidence in vaccination and government public health programs. The episode influenced pandemic planning for decades, making officials cautious about declaring pandemics. The 2009 H1N1 pandemic response was shaped by memories of 1976. The case illustrates the difficulty of making decisions under uncertainty in public health.