Edward Jenner
Thank Science logothank science

First Vaccine

Jenner created the world's first vaccine by inoculating people with cowpox to protect against deadly smallpox.His experiment proved that controlled exposure to a mild disease could prevent a lethal one.This concept of vaccination eventually eradicated smallpox entirely—the only human disease ever eliminated—and inspired all modern vaccines saving millions annually.

Edward Jenner

Life ScienceMedicine