Vaccines have saved millions of lives, but their story begins with a farmer’s observation and a bold experiment. In the late 18th century, English physician Edward Jenner noticed that milkmaids who contracted cowpox seemed immune to smallpox, a deadly disease that plagued humanity for centuries.
In 1796, Jenner tested his theory by inoculating a young boy with material from a cowpox sore. When exposed to smallpox later, the boy remained healthy, proving that cowpox could protect against the deadlier disease. This groundbreaking discovery marked the birth of vaccination, a term derived from “vacca,” the Latin word for cow.
Over the next two centuries, vaccines were developed for diseases like rabies, polio, and measles, transforming public health. Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine in the 1950s, for instance, helped eradicate a crippling disease that affected millions.
Today, vaccines remain at the forefront of medical science, with ongoing research targeting cancer, HIV, and emerging pandemics. Jenner’s innovation serves as a powerful reminder of how curiosity and determination can change the world.
