Brady Collins
Smallpox is a deadly disease that has shaped the course of human history, killing millions of people worldwide. The earliest prevention efforts date back to at least the 10th century in China, and variolation was introduced to Europe in 1721 by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. In the 1840s and 1850s, mandatory smallpox vaccination came into effect in Britain and parts of the United States. If you were born before 1971, you may have received the smallpox vaccine as a child. However, this varied by year and individual circumstances. Today, the smallpox vaccine is no longer available to the public, and the disease has been declared eradicated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of eradication | 1980 |
| Last naturally occurring case | 1977 |
| People who should not get the vaccine | Anyone allergic to the vaccine or its components (polymyxin B, streptomycin, chlortetracycline, neomycin); pregnant women; breastfeeding women; people with skin conditions (especially eczema and atopic dermatitis); people with weakened immune systems; individuals younger than 12 months of age; children younger than 18 years of age |
| Side effects | Post-vaccinial encephalitis; generalized vaccinia; eczema vaccinatum |
| Administration technique | Multiple punctures of the skin (scarification) with a bifurcated needle |
| People who may have received the vaccine | Those born before 1971 |
| How to confirm if you've received the vaccine | Check medical records; contact state health departments; check with past employers |
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What You'll Learn
Smallpox vaccine history
Smallpox is one of the deadliest diseases known to humans and is the only human disease to have been eradicated. Over thousands of years, smallpox killed hundreds of millions of people, killing at least 1 in 3 people infected. The symptoms were gruesome: a high fever, vomiting, mouth sores, and fluid-filled lesions on the whole body. Death would come suddenly, often within 2 weeks, and survivors could be left with permanent harm such as blindness and infertility.
The first method for controlling smallpox was variolation, a process named after the variola virus that causes smallpox. During variolation, people who had never had smallpox were exposed to material from smallpox sores by scratching it into their arm or inhaling it through the nose. This method was introduced to Europe by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu in 1721 after she observed the practice in the Ottoman Empire.
In May 1796, the world's first vaccine was demonstrated by English doctor Edward Jenner, using the same principle as variolation but with a less dangerous viral source: cowpox. Jenner inoculated 8-year-old James Phipps with matter from a cowpox sore on the hand of Sarah Nelmes, a local milkmaid. Phipps reacted to the cowpox matter and felt unwell for several days but made a full recovery. Two months later, Jenner inoculated Phipps with matter from a fresh smallpox lesion, and no disease developed, leading Jenner to conclude that protection was complete.
In 1798, Jenner published his findings in a work entitled "An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae". Vaccination became widely accepted and gradually replaced the practice of variolation. In the 1840s and 1850s, mandatory smallpox vaccination came into effect in Britain and parts of the United States, leading to the establishment of smallpox vaccination certificates required for travel.
The Intensified Eradication Program began in 1967, with laboratories in many countries producing more and higher-quality freeze-dried vaccines. Other factors that contributed to the success of the intensified efforts included the development of the bifurcated needle, the establishment of a case surveillance system, and mass vaccination campaigns. By 1971, smallpox was eradicated from South America, followed by Asia in 1975 and Africa in 1977. The last person to have naturally acquired smallpox was Ali Maow Maalin, a hospital cook in Somalia, on October 12, 1977.
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Childhood vaccination programmes
Smallpox is one of the deadliest diseases known to humans, and it has indisputably shaped the course of human history. It is estimated that the disease has killed hundreds of millions of people, with a mortality rate of 30% among those infected. The symptoms of smallpox were gruesome, including high fever, vomiting, mouth sores, and fluid-filled lesions all over the body. Death would often occur within two weeks, and survivors were often left with permanent disabilities such as blindness and infertility.
The earliest smallpox prevention efforts date back to at least the 10th century in China, where physicians would inoculate susceptible individuals with material from smallpox lesions, providing them with immunity. Similar practices were observed in Africa and India, and later in the Ottoman Empire, where the technique was introduced to Europe by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu in the early 18th century.
In the 1840s and 1850s, mandatory smallpox vaccination was implemented in Britain and parts of the United States, as well as in other parts of the world. This led to the establishment of smallpox vaccination certificates required for travel. While some European regions eliminated the disease by 1900, it continued to ravage colonial regions, killing over 2 million people annually.
During the 20th century, various countries and organizations began developing and distributing smallpox vaccines. The Texas Department of Health began producing an egg-based vaccine in 1939, and Lederle Laboratories started selling its Avianized smallpox vaccine in the United States in 1959. The World Health Organization (WHO) funded work on growing the Lister/Elstree strain in rabbit kidney cells, which was tested on 45,443 Indonesian children in 1973 with promising results.
In 1972, routine smallpox vaccination in the United States ended, and in 1980, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared smallpox eliminated. The last naturally occurring case of smallpox in the world was recorded in 1977, and the disease was completely eradicated by 1980. Smallpox vaccination campaigns played a crucial role in achieving this milestone, which is considered the most significant achievement in global public health.
If you are trying to determine whether you received a smallpox vaccine as a child, you can refer to past immunization schedules and your personal medical records. If you were born before 1971, smallpox vaccination may have been included in your immunization history. However, it is important to note that schedules varied by year and individual circumstances. Additionally, some states have electronic Immunization Information Systems (IIS) that maintain vaccine records. You can also contact your healthcare providers or schools you attended, as they may have kept records as well.
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Smallpox symptoms
Smallpox is a serious infectious disease caused by the variola virus. It was a deadly disease that did not discriminate, killing at least one in three people infected. The symptoms were gruesome: a high fever, vomiting, and mouth sores, followed by fluid-filled lesions on the whole body. Death would come suddenly, often within two weeks, and survivors could be left with permanent harm such as blindness and infertility.
The disease progresses through several stages, each with its own signs and symptoms. It can take seven to 19 days after being infected before a person shows symptoms. The first symptom is a widespread skin rash that progresses through several stages: flat spots, raised bumps, blisters, and finally scabs. People with smallpox are most contagious during the early skin rash stage and remain contagious until all scabs have fallen off. This stage can last anywhere from seven to 19 days, with an average length of 10 to 14 days.
Smallpox was eradicated due to vaccination campaigns, with the last case seen in 1977. As such, if you were born before 1971, smallpox vaccination may have been included in your immunization history. However, this varied by year and individual circumstances. In Britain and parts of the United States, mandatory smallpox vaccination came into effect in the 1840s and 1850s. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, who observed the practice of inoculation in the Ottoman Empire, introduced variolation to Europe in 1721. This involved transferring material from smallpox pustules to the skin of healthy children.
If you are trying to determine which vaccines you have received, you can look at past immunization schedules, check your medical records, or contact your state's health department if they maintain electronic Immunization Information Systems (IIS).
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Vaccine side effects
Smallpox is a serious infectious disease caused by the variola virus. It is one of the deadliest diseases known to humans and killed countless millions in both the Old World and the New World. The last case of smallpox was seen in 1977, and it remains the only human disease to have been eradicated.
The smallpox vaccine is the best protection you can get if you are exposed to the smallpox virus. Vaccination is highly effective in preventing smallpox infection. However, there are side effects and risks associated with the smallpox vaccine that range from mild and self-limited to severe and life-threatening.
For most people, the smallpox vaccination is safe and effective, with mild reactions such as a sore and red arm at the vaccination site, swollen lymph nodes in the armpits, and a slight fever. These reactions typically go away without treatment. However, about one-third of people may experience more significant side effects, such as difficulty sleeping or missing work, school, or recreational activities. In children, 15-20% may develop fevers over 102 °F (39 °C).
Some people may experience more severe reactions requiring medical attention. These include the spread of the vaccinia virus beyond the vaccination site and the development of progressive vaccinia, a non-healing sore. People with weakened immune systems or certain skin conditions, such as eczema or dermatitis, are more likely to experience these severe reactions and should not receive the smallpox vaccine unless exposed to smallpox. Other rare but serious side effects include inflammation of the brain (postvaccinal encephalitis), heart inflammation (myocarditis), and inflammation of the lining of the heart (pericarditis).
The decision to receive the smallpox vaccine involves weighing the risks against the benefits. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional and disclose any medical history, allergies, or medications to determine if the vaccine is suitable for you.
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Tracking your vaccination status
Check Your Medical Records
The best way to confirm your vaccination history is by checking your medical records. Contact your doctor or clinic that administered the vaccines, as they may have kept records for a limited time. If you've moved or changed doctors, your past healthcare providers may still have your records. Schools or colleges may also have records, as they often require proof of immunization.
State Immunization Information Systems (IIS)
Some states have electronic Immunization Information Systems (IIS) that maintain vaccine records, although they may not always include adult vaccinations. Contact your state's health department to see if they can help locate your immunization history.
Past Employers
Certain professions, such as healthcare, the military, or other fields requiring immunizations, may have records of vaccinations. Check with past employers if you've worked in such industries.
Blood Testing (Serologic Testing)
If you cannot locate your records, blood testing can determine whether you have antibodies for certain diseases, indicating immunity. Repeating vaccinations is generally safe, and getting extra shots ensures protection against preventable diseases.
Past Immunization Schedules
If you're trying to estimate which vaccines you received as a child, past immunization schedules can provide insight. For example, if you were born before 1971, smallpox vaccination may have been part of your immunization history. However, schedules varied, so use this information as a reference rather than confirmation.
It's crucial to keep a personal immunization record and store it with other essential documents. Staying on top of your vaccination status can save time when proof of immunization is required. Whether through old records, blood tests, or revaccination, protecting yourself against vaccine-preventable diseases is always possible.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to confirm which vaccines you've received is by checking your medical records. If you don't have your childhood medical records, you can contact your state's health department to see if they can help locate your immunization history.
Yes, mandatory smallpox vaccination came into effect in Britain and parts of the United States in the 1840s and 1850s.
Yes, one-third of first-time vaccinees develop side effects significant enough to miss school or work. 15-20% of children receiving the vaccine for the first time develop fevers of over 102 °F (39 °C).
No, routine smallpox vaccination in the United States ended in 1972. The last naturally occurring case of smallpox in the world happened in 1977, and in 1980, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared smallpox eliminated.
