Samuel L. Katz, a Developer of the Measles Vaccine, Dies at 95
November 11, 2022 1:05 AM Subscribe
Samuel Katz, 1927-2022, was the US virologist who was part of the research team that created the measles vaccine. Before its invention, measles killed 2.6 million people a year - by 2020, that number was just over 60,000. Coverage of the vaccine fell by 4% during the pandemic, but a new initiative from the Global Vaccines Alliance is now underway to reach 85 million children before the end of next year. [NYT / Archive/ via]
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posted by brundlefly at 1:48 AM on November 11, 2022
posted by brundlefly at 1:48 AM on November 11, 2022
In addition to saving the lives of people who would have died from measles itself, he saved the lives of many people who would have died from other infectious diseases as a result of catching measles, because measles erases your immune system's memory of/defenses against diseases that you were immune to before you had measles.
"Getting measles is even more dangerous than doctors had realised, because it destroys immunity that the victim has acquired to other diseases, according to two new studies published by British and American researchers.
The findings help to explain why children often catch other infectious diseases after having measles.
The two studies, which were published simultaneously, said the research underscored the dangers of growing resistance to childhood vaccination in some countries.
The studies show for the first time how measles — one of the most contagious diseases — resets the human immune system back to an immature state like a baby's, with only limited ability to fight off new infections."
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 2:03 AM on November 11, 2022 [21 favorites]
"Getting measles is even more dangerous than doctors had realised, because it destroys immunity that the victim has acquired to other diseases, according to two new studies published by British and American researchers.
The findings help to explain why children often catch other infectious diseases after having measles.
The two studies, which were published simultaneously, said the research underscored the dangers of growing resistance to childhood vaccination in some countries.
The studies show for the first time how measles — one of the most contagious diseases — resets the human immune system back to an immature state like a baby's, with only limited ability to fight off new infections."
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 2:03 AM on November 11, 2022 [21 favorites]
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posted by cupcakeninja at 4:11 AM on November 11, 2022
posted by cupcakeninja at 4:11 AM on November 11, 2022
z”l
posted by Lawn Beaver at 4:25 AM on November 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Lawn Beaver at 4:25 AM on November 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
. What a wonderful legacy
posted by MarianHalcombe at 5:11 AM on November 11, 2022
posted by MarianHalcombe at 5:11 AM on November 11, 2022
There’s apparently a new measles outbreak currently in a daycare center in Ohio. Purposefully unvaxed kids. Stupid, stupid, parents.
I never knew who actually developed the vaccine. Such a fantastic legacy. Bless him.
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posted by Thorzdad at 5:34 AM on November 11, 2022 [5 favorites]
I never knew who actually developed the vaccine. Such a fantastic legacy. Bless him.
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posted by Thorzdad at 5:34 AM on November 11, 2022 [5 favorites]
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posted by Sparky Buttons at 5:55 AM on November 11, 2022
posted by Sparky Buttons at 5:55 AM on November 11, 2022
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posted by carrioncomfort at 6:04 AM on November 11, 2022
posted by carrioncomfort at 6:04 AM on November 11, 2022
In a just world the rare Samuel Katzes walking it would simply receive a generous cheque from nobody in particular every month and would never need to work on anything not of their choosing, ever again. Society cannot possibly repay them for what they've given us.
posted by mhoye at 6:13 AM on November 11, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by mhoye at 6:13 AM on November 11, 2022 [9 favorites]
There's a great radiolab episode about the inventor of the mumps vaccine. (I thought this was maybe the same person, but it is not.)
posted by kaibutsu at 7:16 AM on November 11, 2022
posted by kaibutsu at 7:16 AM on November 11, 2022
⚕️
posted by Halloween Jack at 8:33 AM on November 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Halloween Jack at 8:33 AM on November 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
wow that is an amazing (and terrifying) thing to know about measles. so thankful for the vaccines we have and all the brilliant and often unsung heroes who made them possible.
posted by supermedusa at 9:07 AM on November 11, 2022
posted by supermedusa at 9:07 AM on November 11, 2022
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posted by Joey Michaels at 9:49 AM on November 11, 2022
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:49 AM on November 11, 2022
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posted by Windopaene at 10:52 AM on November 11, 2022
posted by Windopaene at 10:52 AM on November 11, 2022
It's not even the science denialism that makes me squint my eyes in anger about the anti-vax movement, it's the inability to fathom the misery that was commonplace before vaccines became available and to comprehend that this is a societal good and duty.
Cheers to Dr. Katz and jeers to the anti-vaxers
posted by drewbage1847 at 11:48 AM on November 11, 2022 [4 favorites]
Cheers to Dr. Katz and jeers to the anti-vaxers
posted by drewbage1847 at 11:48 AM on November 11, 2022 [4 favorites]
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posted by JoeXIII007 at 11:55 AM on November 11, 2022
posted by JoeXIII007 at 11:55 AM on November 11, 2022
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posted by pelvicsorcery at 6:00 PM on November 11, 2022
posted by pelvicsorcery at 6:00 PM on November 11, 2022
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posted by jjderooy at 1:14 AM on November 11, 2022