Today is the anniversary of the invention of the smallpox vaccine. It was reported to be the first successful vaccine to be developed, and was invented by an English rural doctor by the name of Dr. Edward Jenner on May 14, 1796. Dr. Jenner was also the originator of the term "vaccine."
Thanks to the amazing discovery of the smallpox vaccine, the total number of deaths in England related to this disease had dropped by two thirds within just 18 months. During that 18 months, 12,000 people had been vaccinated against the illness. Within one year, smallpox was nearly completely wiped out with the help of the World Health Organization. Thanks to Dr. Jenner's contribution to the medical field, countless lives have been saved by these vaccinations.
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