Sabin polio vaccine

Sabin polio vaccine is an oral vaccine used to prevent poliomyelitis, a highly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. Named after its developer, Albert Sabin, the vaccine was first licensed for use in 1961 and has played a crucial role in the global effort to eradicate polio.

History

The Sabin polio vaccine was developed by Albert Sabin, a Polish-American medical researcher, in the late 1950s. Sabin's vaccine was a significant improvement over the earlier Salk vaccine, which was administered via injection and provided immunity for a shorter period of time. The Sabin vaccine, in contrast, is taken orally and provides long-term immunity.

Development and Mechanism

The Sabin vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine, meaning it contains a weakened form of the poliovirus that stimulates an immune response in the body without causing disease. The vaccine is administered orally, often on a sugar cube, and requires multiple doses to provide full immunity.

The vaccine works by stimulating the body's immune system to produce antibodies against the poliovirus. These antibodies then provide long-term protection against future infection.

Use and Effectiveness

The Sabin vaccine has been used extensively in global polio eradication efforts, including those led by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is particularly suited to mass vaccination campaigns due to its ease of administration and long-lasting immunity.

The vaccine has been highly effective in reducing the incidence of polio worldwide. However, in rare cases, the live virus in the vaccine can mutate and cause vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP). As a result, some countries have switched back to using the inactivated Salk vaccine.

See Also

• Albert Sabin
• Poliomyelitis
• Salk vaccine
• World Health Organization