Vaccine for Polio
The first vaccine for polio was developed by a man named Dr. Jonas Salk during 1952. This was the Inactivated Polio Vaccine or known as the IPV. The vaccine was colorless. It contained the strains of 3 types of polioviruses, including one that was originally grown in a monkey kidney cell culture. After the trials the results were dramatic, the cases of polio fell unbelievably. Soon after, the permission to use the vaccine on the people was granted quickly by the government during 1955. In 1987, an even more effective vaccine was introduced and was stronger than the original.
The IPV produces protective antibodies in the blood or a serum of immunity. After each dose the serum increases the body’s immunity of the virus. The graph below shows the age and number of doses infants and adults received and how often they received them.
Infants | Unvaccinated Adults | |
Number of injections per dose | 3 | 2 |
1st dose administration | 6-8 weeks of age | 2 injections at a 1-2 month interval |
2nd dose administration | 4-6 months of age | 6-12 months later |
The advantages of this vaccine were; there were no risks of VAPP, as of today there are still no adverse affects from the vaccination, and immunization triggers an excellent immune response and long-lasting immunity to all 3 poliovirus types. Some disadvantages are; it was pricey, you had to have trained health workers to give the vaccine, and IPV required that additional injections were given to infants until new combination products were available.
The vaccine did stop the increasing of the disease but did not eliminate completely. Polio is still around today and work goes on trying to find a way to rid of it completely. I think it is great that they found a way to decrease polio from out breaking, but it would be really great to find a cure completely.
Sources:
http://www.takepart.com/news/2010/03/30/april-12-1955-polio-vaccine-announced
http://www.brown.edu/Courses/Bio_160/Projects1999/polio/vac.html
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