KINGSTON EXHIBIT SHOWS HISTORY OF VACCINES

A new long-term ex

KINGSTON, ONT. — hibition opening this month at the Museum of Health Care explores the importance of vaccinations in public health and preventing disease. Artifacts range from 19thcentury vaccination devices used against smallpox to a 1937 iron lung for the treatment of polio. As well, documentary videos from the 1950s and ’60s highlight the history of vaccination. Museum curator Pamela Peacock said the focus is on three diseases that saw significant decreases in the 20th century because of immunization — diphtheria, polio and whooping cough — and on smallpox in the 19th century. “Canadian scientists were at the forefront and made really important discoveries” during the development of vaccines against those diseases, she said. Vaccines and Immunization: Epidemics, Prevention, and Canadian Innovation opens Wednesday at the Museum of Health Care, located on the grounds of Kingston General Hospital.