On Thursday, Google honoured virologist Dr Michiaki Takahashi, who produced the first vaccination against chickenpox, with an unique doodle in honour of his 94th birthday. The first vaccine, ‘Oka,’ was produced in 1974 to combat the varicella virus, which causes chickenpox.

Google doodle celebrates Michiaki Takahashi who developed the first chickenpox vaccine

The colourful doodle, created by Tokyo-based guest artist Tatsuro Kiuchi, depicts how a Japanese researcher’s vaccination saved children’s lives and reduced the number of instances of chickenpox around the world.

Contribution of Mr. Michiaki Takahashi

Dr. Takahashi was born in Tokyo in 1928 and graduated from Osaka University with a medical degree before joining the Research Institute for Microbial Disease in 1959. In 1963, he obtained a research fellowship at Baylor College in the United States to study measles and polioviruses. During this time, his son contracted chickenpox, prompting the Japanese researcher to seek a cure.

Dr. Takahashi first cultivating live chickenpox viruses in animal and human tissue in 1965. The first vaccination, known as ‘Oka,’ was produced in 1974 to combat the varicella virus, which causes chickenpox. The vaccine has been shown to be quite effective.

In 1986, Osaka University’s Research Foundation for Microbial Disease launched the world’s first varicella vaccine, which was approved by the World Health Organization. The vaccine was used in more than 80 nations and given to millions of youngsters all over the world. Dr. Takahashi was named director of the Microbial Disease Study Group at Osaka University in 1994, a position he held until his retirement. Dr. Michiaki Takahashi died in Osaka in 2013 from cardiac arrest.

Awards of Mr. Michiaki Takahashi

• In 1975 – Saburo Kojima Memorial Culture Award: The Saburo Kojima Memorial Culture Award is given in honour of Saburo Kojima, a Japanese

 

• In 1997 – VZVRF’s third Scientific Achievement Award: The third Scientific Achievement Award given by the VZVRF

 

• In 2008 – Prince Mahidol Award: The Prince Mahidol Award is given to a person who has made a significant