Packaging for a box of polio vaccine, England, 1964-1966

External packaging sleeve for box of poliomyelitis vaccine, in five 10 dose containers, by Glaxo Laboratories Ltd, Greenford, England, 1964-1966

The vaccine is used to protect against polio. The liquid vaccine can either be dropped on to the back of the tongue or swallowed on a sugar lump – a real life example of the old saying “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down”. This vaccine is known as a Sabin vaccine, named after its inventor the American bacteriologist Albert Sabin (1906-1993). He developed the vaccine in the 1950s. Sabin’s vaccine was seen as a safer alternative to the previous Salk polio vaccine. It was also easier to administer than the Salk version, which required an injection. Made by Glaxo Laboratories Limited.