GOOGLE DOODLE PAYS TRIBUTE TO MICHIAKI TAKAHASHI- WORLD’S FIRST CHICKENPOX VACCINE DEVELOPER.

Why in news?

• Michiaki Takahashi Google Doodle: Google Doodle commemorated the 94th birth anniversary of Japanese virologist Dr Michiaki Takahashi on February 17, 2022. Takahashi developed the world’s first vaccine against chickenpox.

About Michiaki Takahashi 

• Michiaki Takahashi was born on February 17, 1928 in Osaka, Japan.
• He got his medical degree from Osaka University. He later got the opportunity to work as a researcher at the Research Institute for Microbial Disease at Osaka University in 1959. He studied polio viruses and measles at the institute.
• He developed the world’s first chickenpox vaccine named “Oka” in early 1974. The lifesaving vaccine has been utilized in over 80 countries over the years and has been administered to millions of children around the world.
• Takahashi was appointed as the director of the Microbial Disease Study Group at Osaka University in 1994.

World’s first Chickenpox vaccine

• Michiaki Takahashi cultured live but weakened chickenpox viruses in animal and human tissue to make the world’s first chickenpox vaccine. Within five years of development, the vaccine was ready for clinical trials.
• Takahashi developed the world’s first vaccine targeting the varicella virus that causes chickenpox. The vaccine was subjected to rigorous research and was proven to be extremely effective.
• The Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases began the rollout of the vaccine in 1986 as the only varicella vaccine approved by the World Health Organization.
• The vaccine helped prevent millions of chickenpox cases every year.