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1796Smallpox

History of smallpox: Outbreaks and vaccine timeline

Learn about the development, use and impact of the smallpox vaccine.

Dr. Edward Jenner vaccinates his child against smallpox.

Dr. Edward Jenner

Dr. Edward Jenner vaccinates his child against smallpox.

1796

Dr. Edward Jenner finds that vaccination with the cowpox virus can protect a person from smallpox infection and creates a smallpox vaccine. He publishes his findings in 1798.

Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse

Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse

Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse gives the first smallpox vaccinations in the U.S.

1800

Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse gives the smallpox vaccine to his son and other family members. These smallpox vaccinations are the first in the U.S.

1855

Massachusetts is the first state to require that children have a smallpox vaccine before going to school to prevent the spread of smallpox in schools.

1980

The World Health Organization (WHO) declares smallpox eliminated worldwide due to vaccinations. Smallpox vaccination ends. Before the smallpox vaccine, smallpox had been considered one of the deadliest infectious diseases. About 300 million people died of smallpox in the 20th century.

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