Jacobson v. Massachusetts

Jacobson v. Massachusetts (1905) was a landmark Supreme Court case that addressed mandatory smallpox vaccination. Henning Jacobson challenged Massachusetts law requiring vaccinations, arguing it violated personal liberty. The Court upheld the law, stating that individual freedoms can be limited for public health and safety. The decision emphasized the government's role in controlling contagious diseases and established that public health measures could override personal objections when necessary. This case set a precedent for government authority in health-related mandates, balancing individual rights against the welfare of the community.