Definition of Sabin vaccine Sabin vaccine: The oral polio
vaccine developed by Dr. Albert S. Sabin. The first vaccine
against poliomyelitis was introduced by Dr. Jonas Salk in 1955
and was administered by injection (in 4 separate shots). The
oral vaccine was created by Dr. Sabin the next year (in 1956)
and is in standard use today because it is easier to administer
and, importantly, it is more effective than the Salk vaccine.
The Salk vaccine is now merely of historic interest. There was
more than a little rivalry between Drs. and Sabin. Although
Sabin's vaccine prevailed, Salk's name became better known, in
part because of the publicity he received for being first and
also because of the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California that
was founded by the National Foundation/March of Dimes and named
for him. A physician, Sabin (1906-1993) was born in Bialystok,
Russia, came to the U.S. in 1921, and for many years was on the
faculty at the University of Cincinnati.Source: MedTerms™
Medical Dictionary Last Editorial