A Big Vaccination Event In Vermilion

Back in October 1951, the Vermilion area was getting ready for a major vaccination job. It wasn’t for polio, that was still a couple years away.

Instead, it was about vaccinating cattle. This massive vaccination program was believed to be the largest ever attempted in Canada by a municipality.

Initiated by the Municipal District of Vermilion River, it all began on Oct. 4, 1951 under the guidance of Dr. A.R. Anderson and Dr. F. Creech from Lloydminster.

The vaccination was for bang’s disease, and more than 10,000 calves were to be vaccinated. It was not something that would take a single day. Most expected it to take at least two months for the two veterinarians to complete.

Bang’s disease, also known as Brucellosis was spread through unpasteurized milk from infected animals. It was first discovered in the early 20th century. Symptoms in humans included profuse sweating and muscle pain. It is lethal to about one to three percent of the population.

Organizers were appointed in each district so that cattle owners could be informed of the day and time when the veterinarians would be in their area. Each farm was given 20 minutes to complete vaccinations. If the owner could not be on hand for when the vets were to be in the area, it was asked that calves be left in barns so that the veterinarians would not be delayed.

For the previous three years, everyone was under a voluntary vaccination plan organized by the Agricultural Service Board of the municipality. With a low vaccination rate, it was decided to make it compulsory that all calves be vaccinated under the Livestock Diseases Act.

To have a compulsory vaccination program, 66 per cent of cattle owners in the area had to sign a petition. In the end, 1,683 cattle owners signed the petition which was more than enough to get the program started.

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