The Smallpox vaccine was developed by Jenner in the 18th century. Jenner's vaccine, which injects the Vaccinia virus (wrongly thought to be cowpox but actually some sort of horse virus), is the same smallpox vaccine agent we use today
The changes in the 50s and 60s mostly related to storage. Basically, researchers found a way to freeze-dry the vaccine and keep it potent, which meant it could be transported and stored more easily. It's this change that made it possible to vaccinate against smallpox in hard-to-reach places, especially tropical climates and enabled the WHO's drive to eradicate the disease.
But, ultimately, they were still getting Jenner's vaccine, already nearly 200 years old then.
sorean_4 on October 21st, 2021 at 05:35 UTC »
I was one of the last generation of kids to get the small pox vaccine. Still have a scar on my arm to remind me.
SixSpeedDriver on October 21st, 2021 at 06:48 UTC »
Dumbass question, but is a child with a case that appears this bad even capable of surviving?
ariehkovler on October 21st, 2021 at 07:10 UTC »
The Smallpox vaccine was developed by Jenner in the 18th century. Jenner's vaccine, which injects the Vaccinia virus (wrongly thought to be cowpox but actually some sort of horse virus), is the same smallpox vaccine agent we use today
The changes in the 50s and 60s mostly related to storage. Basically, researchers found a way to freeze-dry the vaccine and keep it potent, which meant it could be transported and stored more easily. It's this change that made it possible to vaccinate against smallpox in hard-to-reach places, especially tropical climates and enabled the WHO's drive to eradicate the disease.
But, ultimately, they were still getting Jenner's vaccine, already nearly 200 years old then.