A brief history of vaccines from smallpox to COVID-19
PIXABAY PHOTO
and last updated 2021-05-07 19:48:53-04
The following is a brief history of vaccines starting with the first known vaccine (smallpox) to the vaccines that are being used now for COVID-19.
1796 â Smallpox vaccine. Edward Jenner used cowpox material to create immunity to smallpox. It was the first vaccine to be developed against a contagious disease. Mortality during outbreaks was as high as 35% before the vaccine. Smallpox is estimated to have killed 300 to 500 million people before 1900. From 1958 to 1977, the World Health Organization conducted a global vaccination campaign that eradicated smallpox. Although the vaccine is no longer given to the public, the vaccine is kept on hand to guard against bioterrorism and biological warfare.