Final answer:
The Hepatitis B vaccine is given to all U.S. infants at birth to protect against serious liver disease. Hilary Koprowski developed a vaccine to prevent polio. Vaccines in general stimulate the immune system to fight diseases without causing the disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
Immunization Given to U.S. Infants at Birth
The vaccine that is given to all U.S. infants at birth is the Hepatitis B vaccine. This immunization is crucial for protecting infants from Hepatitis B, which is a serious liver infection. Vaccines play a significant role in public health by preventing diseases, which were once common causes of mortality among children, such as whooping cough, measles, and polio. Thanks to these vaccines, diseases like measles, mumps, and chickenpox that one could be vaccinated against are now seen far less frequently.
Hilary Koprowski's Vaccine Development
The vaccine developed by Hilary Koprowski was designed to prevent polio, a communicable disease that had a drastic impact on populations around the world until the development of effective vaccines.
The Role of Vaccines in Health
Vaccines are biological preparations that provide active acquired immunity to particular diseases. They work by stimulating the body's immune system to recognize and fight pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses, without causing the disease itself.