The Injectable Vaccine
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Jonas Salk
In 1955, Jonas Salk released an injectable polio vaccine (Roberts, 2004). The vaccine is made from an inactivated (killed) virus. Multiple shots of the vaccine are needed at different times for it to be fully successful; currently, most of these shots are given to children before 18 months of age. When all of the shots are given, a person will usually be fully protected against the virus. (Toronto Public Health, 2010.)
The injectable polio vaccine has not been proven to stop the spread of the virus through stool, however, so it is possible for someone to contract the virus from traces in an immunized person's feces if that person is not immunized themselves. (Reynolds, 2007.)
The injectable polio vaccine has not been proven to stop the spread of the virus through stool, however, so it is possible for someone to contract the virus from traces in an immunized person's feces if that person is not immunized themselves. (Reynolds, 2007.)
The Oral Vaccine
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Albert Sabin
In 1961, Albert Sabin introduced a new type of polio vaccine: one that could be taken orally. The oral polio vaccine is made from a live but weakened virus. To be fully effective, the oral vaccine also has to be taken multiple times, and is usually given during the first year of life.
The oral vaccine was widely seen as a simpler alternative to injection. According to Roberts (p. 3, 2004): "Compared to Salk's injectable vaccine, Sabin's oral formula had several advantages, especially for developing countries. It was cheap, easily delivered, and didn't require trained medical personnel to administer it."
That the oral vaccine could also stop the spread of the virus through stool was also a benefit. Sabin himself believed his vaccine could rid the world of polio completely. (Roberts, 2004.)
The oral vaccine was widely seen as a simpler alternative to injection. According to Roberts (p. 3, 2004): "Compared to Salk's injectable vaccine, Sabin's oral formula had several advantages, especially for developing countries. It was cheap, easily delivered, and didn't require trained medical personnel to administer it."
That the oral vaccine could also stop the spread of the virus through stool was also a benefit. Sabin himself believed his vaccine could rid the world of polio completely. (Roberts, 2004.)