Who developed the first widely effective inactivated vaccine against poliomyelitis (polio) that was used in mass immunisation programmes?

Introduction / Context:
Poliomyelitis, commonly called polio, was once a feared viral disease that could cause paralysis and death, especially in children. The development of an effective vaccine was a major milestone in medical history. This question asks about the scientist who developed the first widely effective inactivated polio vaccine used for large scale immunisation campaigns.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The disease in focus is poliomyelitis, or polio.
• The question refers to the first widely effective vaccine used in mass programmes.
• The vaccine described is an inactivated, injected vaccine.
• We must connect the correct scientist with this specific vaccine type.

Concept / Approach:
Two major polio vaccines are known in basic general knowledge. Jonas E. Salk developed the inactivated polio vaccine, which is given by injection. Albert Sabin later developed the oral polio vaccine using live attenuated virus. The question emphasises first effective vaccine and mass immunisation, which historically refers to Salk and his inactivated vaccine introduced in the nineteen fifties.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the first widely adopted vaccine against polio was based on inactivated virus and was introduced before the oral vaccine. Step 2: Recall that Jonas E. Salk led clinical trials and development of this inactivated polio vaccine. Step 3: Note that Albert Sabin is associated with the later oral vaccine, not the first injected inactivated vaccine. Step 4: Therefore, the scientist who prepared the first widely effective polio vaccine for broad use was Jonas E. Salk.

Verification / Alternative check:
A helpful memory rule is to pair Salk with shot, as both words start with S, reminding you that Salk made the injectable inactivated vaccine. Sabin can be paired with swallow, hinting at the oral vaccine drops. This simple association keeps the roles of both scientists clear and helps verify that the answer for the first inactivated vaccine is Jonas E. Salk.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Robert Edwards: Associated with in vitro fertilisation research, not polio vaccine development.
• James Simpson: Known for work with chloroform as an anaesthetic rather than vaccine research.
• H. Gibbon: Known for work related to heart lung machines, not polio vaccines.
• Albert Sabin: Developed the oral live attenuated polio vaccine, which came after the Salk vaccine and is not the first inactivated vaccine described in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
A very common mistake is to confuse Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin because both are linked to polio vaccines. Another pitfall is to overlook the difference between inactivated injectable vaccines and live oral vaccines. Paying attention to key words like inactivated and first effective helps you avoid mixing the two scientists and ensures that you correctly choose Jonas E. Salk for this question.

Final Answer:
The first widely effective inactivated polio vaccine used in mass immunisation was developed by Jonas E. Salk.