Internet web search behemoth Google paid tribute to the Japanese Dr. Michiaki Takahashi for his incredible Chickenpox Vaccine development. Google created a unique doodle showing the journey of Dr. Takahashi on his 94th birth anniversary.
This doodle was illustrated by artist Tatsuro Kiuchi, shows the creative journey of how Dr. Takahashi saved children’s lives and decreased the cases around the globe back then and even today. Tatsuro is based out of Tokyo, Japan.
As soon as Dr. Takahashi succeeded in developing the vaccine it was administered to millions of children across the globe; the total time to develop the vaccine was 5 years including rigorous research as well. The vaccination showed great results in the notorious spread of the viral disease.
Dr. Takahashi hails from Osaka, he earned his medical degree from Osaka University. Post his graduation for further research he joined the Research Institute for Microbial Disease (RIMD) in 1959 of Osaka University. Until his retirement in 1994, he held the Director of Osaka University’s Microbial Disease Study Group.
He spent gruelling hours studying the measle and polioviruses and in 1963 he was awarded a fellowship at Baylor College in the US. At this moment his son took to chickenpox and being a father his focus was directed to developing the vaccine and understanding the origin of the virus.
It took him almost 2 years and in 1965 he returned to Japan. He injected live but less harmful chickenpox virus into human and animal tissues in his lab. It took him 5 years to be ready for clinical trials.
At that time it was a major breakthrough and was the only vaccine to have combated the Varicella virus. WHO approved it without any delay. No sooner did the WHO approved the vaccine than the RIMD started rolling out millions of vaccines in 1986 in the city of Japan. It’s reported to have travelled to around 80 countries saving millions of lives.