Two Grand Rapids Doctors Invented This Life-Saving Vaccine

Grand Rapids is known for a lot of things.

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Our love of beer earned us the title of "Beer City USA".

via GIPHY

We're also home to the 38th President of The United States of America Gerald R. Ford.

Located near the Grand River in Downtown Grand Rapids, you will find the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum.

The airport is also named after President Ford.

One thing you might know about Grand Rapids is that two Grand Rapids doctors and a chemist back in the 1930s created a vaccine that helped kids and adults in Michigan and around the world.

This Life-Saving Vaccine Was Created In Grand Rapids

The Whooping Cough vaccine followed by a vaccine called DTP that combined diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) was invented in Grand Rapids by Dr. Pearl Kendrick, Dr. Grace Eldering, and chemist Loney Clinton Gordon in the 1930s.

Before the Whooping Cough vaccine was created, roughly 6,000 children died each year from getting it.

What Is Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection.

In many people, it's marked by a severe hacking cough followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like "whoop."

Grand Rapids is still doing its part to advance medicine for Michiganders and people worldwide.