Who developed the first successful polio vaccine?

The first successful polio vaccine was developed by Dr. Jonas Salk in 1955. His inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) used killed viruses to safely stimulate immunity without causing the disease. The vaccine’s introduction marked a turning point in public health, dramatically reducing polio cases worldwide. Salk’s work was followed by Albert Sabin’s oral polio vaccine (OPV), which simplified mass immunization. Together, these vaccines nearly eradicated polio globally. Salk’s commitment to public welfare was notable—he chose not to patent his vaccine, ensuring widespread access. His achievement remains a milestone in preventive medicine, symbolizing science’s power to eliminate devastating diseases.