Salk polio vaccine

Salk polio vaccine is an inactivated vaccine used to prevent poliomyelitis, a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children. Named after its developer, Jonas Salk, the vaccine was first introduced in 1955 and has since played a crucial role in the near-eradication of polio worldwide.

History

The Salk polio vaccine was developed in the early 1950s by American medical researcher Jonas Salk at the University of Pittsburgh. It was the first effective vaccine against poliomyelitis, a disease that had reached epidemic proportions in the United States during the first half of the 20th century. The vaccine was officially announced as safe and effective on April 12, 1955.

Development and Production

The Salk vaccine is an inactivated, or "killed," vaccine, meaning it contains poliovirus that has been grown in a laboratory and then killed to eliminate disease-causing properties. The vaccine is administered via injection, typically in a series of four doses.

Efficacy and Usage

The Salk vaccine has been highly effective in preventing polio. Following its introduction, the incidence of polio in the United States dropped dramatically. Today, the vaccine is used worldwide as part of the World Health Organization's Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Legacy

The development of the Salk polio vaccine marked a significant milestone in medical history. It not only provided a means to control a devastating disease but also set a precedent for the development of other inactivated vaccines.

See Also

• Polio
• Jonas Salk
• Vaccine
• World Health Organization