Final answer:
The oral polio vaccine was developed by Albert Sabin and introduced in 1962. It offered ease of administration compared to Jonas Salk's injected vaccine, and played a key role in reducing the global incidence of polio.
Step-by-step explanation:
Who Developed the Oral Polio Vaccine?
The oral polio vaccine was developed by Albert Sabin and was licensed for use in 1962. This vaccine is a live attenuated (weakened) virus vaccine, which is different from the killed virus vaccine developed by Jonas Salk and introduced in 1955. Salk's vaccine required an injection, which led to the development of Sabin's oral version for easier administration and better acceptance among the population. The oral vaccine's ease of delivery contributed to massive immunization campaigns in the 1960s, significantly reducing the incidence of polio worldwide. Both vaccines were critical in combating the poliovirus, which had caused widespread fear due to its ability to induce muscle paralysis in children.