Albert Sabin is best known in medical history for developing which type of vaccine used worldwide in mass immunisation campaigns?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Polio vaccine

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Vaccines have helped control and sometimes eliminate several dangerous diseases. Polio, a viral disease that can cause paralysis, was brought under control in many regions through mass vaccination. This question asks which vaccine Albert Sabin is especially known for developing and promoting in large scale immunisation programmes.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Albert Sabin was a medical researcher and virologist.
  • His work is linked with a widely used vaccine.
  • The options list different vaccines and a drug therapy.
  • We assume basic awareness that polio vaccines come in different forms.


Concept / Approach:
Albert Sabin developed an oral polio vaccine using live attenuated virus. This vaccine, given as drops, became very important in mass immunisation campaigns because it was easy to administer and helped build intestinal immunity. While Jonas Salk developed the first inactivated polio vaccine, Sabin oral vaccine later played a major role in large national and global polio eradication efforts. Therefore, Sabin is associated most strongly with the polio vaccine.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that smallpox and rabies vaccines are usually linked with Edward Jenner and Louis Pasteur, not Sabin. Step 2: Understand that penicillin is an antibiotic drug, discovered by Alexander Fleming, not a vaccine. Step 3: Remember that Albert Sabin name appears whenever oral polio vaccine or polio drops campaigns are discussed. Step 4: Conclude that the correct answer is polio vaccine.


Verification / Alternative check:
Public health campaigns in many countries talk about pulse polio or national immunisation days, where children receive polio drops. These drops are based on the Sabin oral polio vaccine. WHO and other health organisations frequently credit Sabin for this contribution. The strong connection between his name and polio vaccination confirms that option B is correct.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Smallpox vaccine: First developed by Edward Jenner from cowpox material.
  • Penicillin based therapy: Penicillin is an antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming, not a vaccine created by Sabin.
  • Hepatitis B vaccine: Developed much later by different research groups and companies.
  • Rabies vaccine: Associated with Louis Pasteur, not Sabin.


Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to mix up the contributions of Salk and Sabin in polio control. Salk created the inactivated injectable vaccine, while Sabin created the oral live attenuated version. Exam questions that simply mention the polio vaccine and mass immunisation usually expect Sabin because his oral vaccine was easier to use in large campaigns. Keeping both names and their specific roles in mind helps you answer precisely.


Final Answer:
Albert Sabin is best known for developing the oral polio vaccine.

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