Vaccination Vaccination stands as one of history’s most impactful medical innovations, beginning with Edward Jenner’s smallpox vaccine in 1796. By introducing a weakened or inactivated pathogen, vaccines train the immune system to recognize and combat future infections without causing disease. This principle led to the global eradication of smallpox by 1980 and near-elimination of polio, measles, and diphtheria. Modern vaccines—such as mRNA-based ones developed rapidly for COVID-19—showcase adaptability and scientific agility. Beyond individual protection, vaccination enables herd immunity, shielding vulnerable populations. Despite misinformation challenges, immunization programs save an estimated 2–3 million lives annually. Vaccines have reshaped public health, turning once-deadly epidemics into preventable conditions and laying the foundation for proactive, population-wide disease control strategies that remain central to global health security.
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