Samuel Katz, MD, a pediatrician who helped develop the measles vaccine, celebrates his 90th birthday this week, according to a WRAL report.
Here are four things to know about Dr. Katz.
1. Dr. Katz began developing the measles vaccine in 1956 with John Enders, PhD, at Boston Children's Hospital. The vaccine was rapidly adopted throughout the country in 1963, virtually eradicating the virus in the U.S.
"Instead of millions of cases a year in this country, we very rapidly diminished to a couple of hundred cases a year," said Dr. Katz, according to WRAL.
2. He believes the number of vaccines children are required to receive in the modern era can cause parents to take immunization for granted.
"Young parents haven't grown up with measles so they have no idea what the disease is," said Dr. Katz.
3. Dr. Katz serves as the Wilburt C. Davison Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C. He chaired the school's department of pediatrics from 1968 to 1990. Dr. Katz still participates in policy discussions and comes to work nearly every day.
4. In 2003, Dr. Katz received the Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal from the Sabin Vaccine Institute for his contribution to vaccine advancement throughout his career.
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