Smallpox Vaccination Poster- Source: History of Vaccines
|
The DiseaseSmallpox has existed in the world for over three thousand years. A viral infection, the disease spread along trade routes, first being seen in Africa, Asia and Europe and eventually reaching the Americas in the sixteenth century. Because smallpox requires a human to survive it tended to pop up in densely populated areas, erupting in a full-blown epidemic every ten years or so in the communities. Smallpox is highly infectious and can be transmitted through contact with an infected individual or objects belonging to an infected individual. The disease produces an intense burning fever followed by the eruption of multiple pustules on the body’s surface. Death occurs in about 30% of all smallpox cases (1). Smallpox is one of greatest diseases in human and American history. The disease, can result in disfiguration, blindness, and death (2). It first began to make its mark in the United States when the first settlers arrived in the 1600s. From that time until the 1900s, smallpox caused issues constantly, with many people being infected and possibly dying from the disease. The major epidemics constantly happening throughout the United States led to researchers to begin looking for a cure to this vicious disease.
|
A Nurse administering smallpox vaccine with new needle
Source: Britannica Kids |
Vaccine |
The vaccine for smallpox was actually first introduced in the late 1700s, but without modern technology and medical knowledge,it did not reach its full potential. In 1961, two researchers developed a better method of delivery for the vaccine compared to the 1700s; the bifurcated needle. This made it easier to use and required only one-quarter of the amount of vaccine previously needed. “Vaccine takes” were now nearly 100 percent and the procedure could be done quickly and easily (3). Up to one hundred shots of the smallpox vaccine could now be given from one vial of the medicine (4). This new type of needle would have large implications for smallpox vaccination campaigns. Because the vaccine was spread arm to arm, unlike others, this made the process to get it started very slow, but eventually led to success.
|
Making and Delivery of Vaccine-Source:YouTube
|
How it changed medicine & history
|
By 1972, the disease was able to be officially eradicated from the United States (4). Scientists and doctors were able to develop off the new needle introduced during the discovery of the vaccine. The new needle leaded the way to delivering vaccines easier and safer. It also led to beginning of re vaccination campaigns, the idea of getting booster shots / re vaccination for certain diseases every 10-15 years (5). Like all other vaccines as well, it led to public awareness on diseases and why the public should vaccinate, leading to many campaigns for government legislation and funding. In 1966, the World Health Organization called for a global eradication of smallpox in not only the United States, but with the entire world in mind as well because of the discoveries by American Doctors (6). By 1971, the CDC was able to issue a recommended discontinuation of the smallpox vaccine because of the almost eradication of the disease (7). This was the first disease in American history to be almost completely discontinued by the CDC .
|
Footnotes:
1.Boston University School of Public Health. "20th Century Public Health
Achievements." A Brief History of Public Health. http://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/
otlt/MPH-Modules/PH/PublicHealthHistory/publichealthhistory9.html.
2.Department of Health and Human Services. "Acheivements in Public Health ,
1900-1999." CDC. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4829a1.htm.
3.ibid
4.ibid
5."The Rise and Fall of Smallpox." History Channel. http://www.history.com/news/
the-rise-and-fall-of-smallpox.
6.ibid
7.ibid
1.Boston University School of Public Health. "20th Century Public Health
Achievements." A Brief History of Public Health. http://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/
otlt/MPH-Modules/PH/PublicHealthHistory/publichealthhistory9.html.
2.Department of Health and Human Services. "Acheivements in Public Health ,
1900-1999." CDC. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4829a1.htm.
3.ibid
4.ibid
5."The Rise and Fall of Smallpox." History Channel. http://www.history.com/news/
the-rise-and-fall-of-smallpox.
6.ibid
7.ibid