PHILADELPHIA, March 30 (UPI) -- Dr. Robert Austrian, developer of a lifesaving pneumococcal vaccine, has died of a stroke in Philadelphia at the age of 90.
Austrian, who taught at the University of Philadelphia for 40 years, did much of early research on the pneumococcal vaccine in New York, The New York Times reported.
Two of his vaccines were licensed in 1977 and 1983.
The vaccine can prevent pneumonia, meningitis and other infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. The Times said the infections were "a major cause of illness and death among the elderly and the chronically ill."
In 1978, Austrian received a Lasker award "for his perseverance in the development and clear demonstration of the efficacy of a purified vaccine," the newspaper said.
Austrian died Sunday.
