Polio
Polio
Invented by : Jonas Salk
Throughout the early 1950s , Jonas Salk had been cultivating polio strains and testing his vaccine on monkeys . From his kitchen , Salk injected himself , his wife and their three sons with his polio vaccine . On 12th April 1955 , the day Salk ’ s vaccine was declared safe and effective , CBS news asked Salk who owned the patent . “ Well , the people , I would say ,” he replied .
Forbes magazine has speculated that Salk could have made USD $ 7bn had he patented the vaccine .
Polio has been eradicated everywhere , except in Afghanistan and Pakistan , where there is resistance to the vaccine due to misinformation . Over the past ten years , almost 100 immunisation workers have been murdered in Pakistan ( as well as people supporting them , such as police officers ).
It is hoped that a combination of community engagement , awareness campaigns , support for healthcare workers , and improved security measures will ensure the successful distribution of the polio vaccine .
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