The Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal

The duo of South African researchers have held key roles in the clinical development of vaccines against pneumonia, neonatal sepsis, and diarrheal disease—the major causes of death in children living in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Individually, awardees Dr. Keith Paul Klugman and Dr. Shabir Ahmed Madhi have accomplished significant milestones in the field of vaccinology and infectious diseases research. Together, at an internationally recognized research unit in South Africa established by Klugman and subsequently expanded by his former graduate student Madhi, they worked to demonstrate the efficacy of vaccines to protect children and pregnant women in LMICs.

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Dr. Monath is internationally recognized for his work in both virology and vaccinology. His four decade-long career began in the U.S. government, transitioned to the biotechnology sector, and resulted in several innovative vaccines including those for Ebola Zaire, smallpox, West Nile virus, Zika and influenza. Four of his vaccines are licensed and commercialized. He has published more than 425 scientific papers, six books on virology and vaccine development, and has 35 patents to his name.

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Dr. Jansen has nearly three decades of commitment to advancing vaccine research and development (R&D) for a range of challenging diseases from COVID-19 to HPV and pneumonia, all of which afflict adults and children in low-and middle-income countries with already fragile health care systems.

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As a researcher, mentor and vaccine advocate, Dr. Graham has helped shape structure-based vaccine design and pandemic preparedness. His work played a critical role in accelerating the development of multiple COVID-19 vaccines.

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Dr. Dougan is a leader in research and discovery, clinical evaluation and advocacy around vaccine affordability. His work contributed to the success of the acellular pertussis vaccine and conjugate vaccines against typhoid fever and cholera. He is a Fellow of the  Academy of Medical Sciences in the United Kingdom.

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Dr. Baker’s groundbreaking research and advocacy has enabled doctors to save the lives of countless newborn babies. Her work on group B Streptococcus (GBS) prevention created a sea change in maternal immunization policy in the United States.

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Dr. Offit is the co-inventor of a vaccine for rotavirus, a leading cause of death of children under five. His work as an author has also helped translate complex scientific concepts for people worldwide.

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Dr. Holmgren is a pioneer in oral vaccine research, including developing the world’s first effective oral cholera vaccine. He then provided technical assistance to enable cost-effective manufacturing of the vaccine in India, Vietnam and Korea.

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Dr. Siber’s contributions to immunology and infectious disease research have led to the development of life-saving vaccines for childhood diseases, including pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and meningococcus.

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Dr. Glass has documented the epidemiology and burden of rotavirus throughout the world. He helped develop a novel rotavirus vaccine for India that cost the public US$1.00 per dose, a fraction of the cost of existing vaccines.

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Dr. Santosham is a leader in conducting research, vaccine efficacy trials and advocacy to prioritize Hib vaccines. His work helped make the oral rehydration solution, known as “Pedialyte” in the U.S., the standard of care for treating diarrheal dehydration, saving an estimated 60 million lives since 1980.

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Dr. Gershon’s research and public health leadership was critical to the widespread adoption of the varicella vaccine, which prevents chickenpox.

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Dr. LaForce oversaw the development, licensure and widespread introduction of a vaccine providing long-lasting protection against meningitis — the first internationally licensed vaccine specifically designed for and introduced in Africa.

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Drs. Douglas R. Lowy and John T. Schiller’s research led to the development of the first vaccines intended to prevent cancer. Their work advanced the development of vaccines against the human papillomavirus (HPV), the cause of virtually all cases of cervical cancer.

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Dr. Clemens led the first efficacy trial of an oral vaccine against cholera, and conducted critical research on a measles vaccine during the 1980s. He is also a pioneer in using international diplomacy to increase access to vaccines globally.

Dr. Rappuoli’s use of genetic information for vaccine development, called”reverse vaccinology,” was a paradigm shift in the field and directly led to a group B meningococcal vaccine.

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Dr. Nussenzweig’s discovery that protective immunity against malaria can be induced by irradiating the parasite that causes the disease paved the way for several malaria vaccines.

Dr. Koprowski was a pioneer in vaccinology and cancer immunotherapy. He developed a live oral poliomyelitis vaccine, the first such vaccine to be used in mass trials. He also was part of a team that engineered a more effective and less painful rabies vaccine than the traditional Pasteur technique.

Dr. Foege is an epidemiologist who worked in the successful campaign to eradicate smallpox in the 1970s. He has also worked to raise public policy awareness about the importance of disease eradication, including for Guinea worm, polio and measles.

Dr. Kapikian led a nearly 25-year effort to develop an oral rotavirus vaccine that became the first rotavirus vaccine licensed in the United States. He also helped identify the virus that causes hepatitis A.

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Dr. Jordan was a practicing physician, dedicated teacher and infectious disease researcher. His annual scientific review, known as the Jordan Report, was considered by many in the field to be the most complete reference available on vaccine research and development.

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Dr. Katz was responsible for co-developing the measles vaccine now used worldwide. His work to prevent pediatric infectious disease also included research on vaccinia, polio, rubella, influenza, pertussis and HIV.

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Dr. Plotkin is the developer of the rubella vaccine that is the only one in use in the United States and throughout most of the world. His research has demonstrated the efficacy of the current anthrax vaccine and contributed to vaccines for polio, rabies and varicella.

Dr. Robbins played a pivotal role in the development of Hib conjugate vaccine which led to a dramatic decline in the number of children suffering from meningitis and pneumonia globally. His research also supported the development of vaccines for typhoid fever and pertussis.

Dr. de Quadros was an epidemiologist and public health reformer whose leadership helped eradicate smallpox and polio in Latin America.

Major General (Ret) Philip K. Russell was a physician, scientist and global health advocate. His research contributed to the development of vaccines for adenovirus, meningitis and hepatitis A and B.

Dr. Steere discovered Lyme disease and conducted subsequent studies that paved the way for development of a vaccine to prevent the disease.

Dr. Levine is an infectious disease researcher, teacher and mentor. He also advises U.S. legislators on vaccine policy.

Dr. Hilleman is credited with developing more vaccines than any other person in history—including for measles, mumps, rubella, Marek’s disease, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and adenoviruses.

Dr. Melnick conducted groundbreaking polio research and trained more than 100 virologists at the Ph.D. or postdoctoral level, many of whom now are leading efforts to develop new vaccines and improve immunization.

Dr. Chanock began his career in Dr. Albert Sabin’s laboratory. He was the first to identify and characterize respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which hospitalizes an estimated 58,000 children under five each year in the United States alone.

Dr. Henderson directed the decade-long World Health Organization global campaign that eradicated smallpox.