What is the Difference Between Salk and Sabin Polio Vaccine?

The Salk and Sabin polio vaccines are two different types of vaccines developed to combat polio, a disease that caused severe paralysis and death in the early 1950s. The main differences between the two vaccines are:

1. Virus Type: The Salk vaccine, developed by Jonas Salk, uses an inactivated (killed) virus, while the Sabin vaccine, developed by Albert Bruce Sabin, uses a live but weakened (attenuated) virus.
2. Administration: The Salk vaccine is given as an injection, whereas the Sabin vaccine is administered orally, either as drops or on a sugar cube.
3. Risk of Paralysis: The risk of paralysis from the live-virus Sabin vaccine exists, although it is slight. In contrast, the killed-virus Salk vaccine does not carry this risk.
4. Usage: As of 2019, every country in the world either uses the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) or a combination of IPV and oral polio vaccine (OPV). However, the global push to eradicate polio has led to an increase in the use of IPV due to the risk associated with the live nature of the Sabin vaccine.

Despite their differences, both vaccines have played a crucial role in reducing the prevalence of polio worldwide.

Comparative Table: Salk vs Sabin Polio Vaccine

The Salk and Sabin polio vaccines are two types of vaccines developed to combat poliovirus. They have some key differences:

Both vaccines are effective against the poliovirus, but the Sabin vaccine is a live, attenuated vaccine and is administered orally, while the Salk vaccine is an inactivated vaccine and is injected. The Sabin vaccine has a higher risk of adverse events due to its live nature, but it is still used in certain cases because of its advantages. As of 2019, every country in the world either uses the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) or a combination of IPV and the Sabin vaccine.