Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 100%

The following is an excerpt from the U.S. Department of State: An insatiable learner, Jefferson absorbed the ideals of the Age of Enlightenment philosophers. In 1776 he intended not only to enumerate liberties due to every citizen of the new nation, but to all people everywhere that all men are equal in rights, regardless of birth, wealth or status, and that the government must be the servant, not the master, of the people.

Dr. Jonas Salk developed a vaccine in the 1950s against which of the following diseases?

Rationale

Dr. Jonas Salk developed a vaccine against polio.

Salk's polio vaccine, introduced in the 1950s, was a groundbreaking achievement in public health, effectively reducing the incidence of this debilitating disease and leading to its near-eradication in many parts of the world.

A (Polio) CORRECT

This choice is correct because Dr. Jonas Salk created the first effective vaccine for poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio. His inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) was crucial in combating the polio epidemic that affected thousands of children, and it remains a vital tool in vaccination programs today.

B (Measles) YOUR ANSWER

Although measles is a significant disease preventable by vaccination, Salk did not develop this vaccine. The measles vaccine was developed later, primarily attributed to Dr. John Enders and Dr. Thomas Peebles in the 1960s. Therefore, this option does not relate to Salk's contributions.

C (Tuberculosis) YOUR ANSWER

The vaccine for tuberculosis, known as the BCG vaccine, was developed in the 1920s by Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin. Salk's work focused specifically on polio, making this answer incorrect in the context of his contributions to vaccine development.

D (Malaria) YOUR ANSWER

While malaria remains a significant global health challenge, a vaccine for malaria was not developed by Salk. Research into malaria vaccines has been ongoing for decades, but Salk's work was exclusively centered on polio, thus making this choice inaccurate.

Conclusion

Dr. Jonas Salk's pivotal role in developing the polio vaccine in the 1950s marked a major milestone in medical history, significantly reducing polio cases and showcasing the importance of vaccinations. The other options relate to different diseases and vaccines developed by other researchers, underscoring Salk's unique contributions to public health in combating polio specifically.

Dr. Jonas Salk developed a vaccine in the 1950s against which of the following diseases?

Dr. Jonas Salk developed a vaccine against polio.

Related Questions

Related Quizzes

How familiar were you with this question?

Report an Issue

Rate this Practice Test