Story of Vaccine. Small Pox to COVID Vaccine

 

(  image credit to unsplash)

Story of Vaccination

From Smallpox to COVID-19

COVID story -

More than 6.8 million people died world wide due to COVID-19 .  It would have been more casualties if vaccines were not developed.  Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman were given Noble  prize for developing   mRNA vaccine for COVID. USA and Indian Pharma companies developed COVID vaccines indipendently.

The history of vaccines stands as a testament to human ingenuity scientific advancement and international cooperation. From the devastating scourge of smallpox to the ongoing battle against COVID-19  vaccines have played a pivotal role in safeguarding public health and shaping the course of human history. This article will follow the captivating narrative of vaccines tracing their development and their impact on public health  stretching from the eradication of smallpox to the ongoing fight against COVID-19.

.  Edward Jenner 

Image credit to Newcastle university 

Smallpox  The First Triumph

Smallpox a highly contagious and lethal disease plagued humanity for centuries. However  in 1796 the English physician Edward Jenner achieved a monumental breakthrough. He noted that milkmaids who had contracted a milder disease called cowpox seemed to be immune to smallpox. Building upon this insight  Jenner created the smallpox vaccine by inoculating individuals with cowpox laying the cornerstone for modern vaccination. The success of the smallpox vaccine marked a watershed moment in conquering a deadly disease.

Widespread Adoption of Vaccination

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries vaccines against various diseases like polio  diphtheria tetanus and measles emerged and gained widespread acceptance. This era witnessed the institution of vaccination programs and the gradual eradication of many life threatening diseases. The introduction of the polio vaccine by Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin in 1955 marked a momentous milestone in the battle against this crippling ailment.

Eradication of Smallpox

The triumphant global campaign to eradicate smallpox spearheaded by the World Health Organization  stands as one of the most remarkable accomplishments in the annals of public health. Through extensive vaccination campaigns rigorous surveillance  and isolation measures, smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980. The smallpox vaccine not only saved innumerable lives but also served as a source of inspiration for subsequent vaccine development and worldwide collaboration.

The Contemporary Era  Vaccine Breakthroughs

The late 20th century and early 21st century witnessed rapid progress in vaccine technology. Novel methods  such as recombinant DNA and mRNA technology  facilitated the development of vaccines with greater precision and effectiveness. Vaccines like the hepatitis B vaccine the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine  and the rotavirus vaccine were subsequently introduced  preventing severe diseases and curtailing their prevalence.

COVID-19  A Global Challenge

In December 2019 the world confronted a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. The urgency of the situation spurred an unprecedented race to create a vaccine. In record time, multiple COVID-19 vaccines  including Pfizer-BioNTech  Moderna and Johnson & Johnson were developed and granted emergency use authorization. These vaccines leveraged state-of-the-art mRNA technology  demonstrating the power of scientific cooperation and unwavering determination.

Vaccination Campaigns in the 21st Century

The deployment of COVID-19 vaccines underscored the crucial role of vaccination in a highly interconnected world. Mass vaccination efforts, challenges related to vaccine distribution, and vaccine hesitancy took center stage in the fight against the pandemic. Governments and organizations worked collaboratively to ensure equitable access to vaccines, underscoring the necessity of unity in addressing global health crises.

The history of vaccines  extending from the smallpox vaccine to the COVID-19 vaccines, is a testament to human resilience and scientific advancement. Vaccines have not only saved countless lives but have also revolutionized public health  molded societies and accelerated our comprehension of infectious diseases. As we grapple with new health challenges the development and dissemination of vaccines will continue to be a vital tool in safeguarding global well being. The journey of vaccines is a remarkable saga of human innovation and a beacon of hope for a healthier future.