The Development of Vaccination

Vaccination began over 200 years ago when Edward Jenner discovered that exposure to cowpox could protect against smallpox. He used this idea to create the first vaccine. Since then, vaccines have evolved to use weakened or inactivated viruses or pieces of them to train our immune system to recognize and fight infections without causing the disease. This has led to the eradication of smallpox and significant reductions in diseases like measles and polio. Vaccinations are a safe and effective way to build immunity and protect both individuals and communities from infectious diseases.