History of Vaccination in Timeline

Vaccination is the process of administering a vaccine to stimulate the immune system and develop immunity to a disease. Vaccines contain weakened, live, or killed microorganisms or their components. This process helps prevent illness from infectious diseases and can lead to herd immunity, protecting vulnerable individuals. Vaccination is a highly effective method for preventing infectious diseases and has led to the eradication of smallpox and the elimination of diseases like polio in many regions. The WHO estimates that vaccination prevents 3.5–5 million deaths annually, with a Lancet study estimating 154 million deaths prevented over 50 years. However, vaccine hesitancy has contributed to rising cases of some diseases.

1905: U.S. Supreme Court upholds compulsory vaccination laws

In 1905, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld compulsory vaccination laws in the landmark case Jacobson v. Massachusetts, ruling that laws could require vaccination to protect the public from dangerous communicable diseases.

1959: WHO calls for eradication of smallpox worldwide

In 1959, the WHO called for the eradication of smallpox worldwide, as smallpox was still endemic in 33 countries.

1963: Introduction of measles vaccine

After the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963, the number of measles cases had dropped dramatically in wealthy nations.

1966: Smallpox cases worldwide

According to the WHO, in 1966, there were about 100 million cases of smallpox worldwide, causing an estimated two million deaths.

1974: WHO confines smallpox to parts of Asia and Africa

By 1974, the WHO smallpox vaccination program had confined smallpox to parts of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Somalia.

1974: Vaccination prevents millions of deaths annually

In 1974, a WHO-funded study estimated that vaccination prevented 154 million deaths during the 50-year period starting in 1974, including 146 million among children under age 5.

1974: WHO adopts the goal of universal vaccination

In 1974, the WHO adopted the goal of universal vaccination by 1990 to protect children against six preventable infectious diseases: measles, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, and tuberculosis.

1977: Last case of smallpox infection acquired outside a laboratory recorded

In 1977, the WHO recorded the last case of smallpox infection acquired outside a laboratory in Somalia.

1979: Smallpox eradicated

In 1979, smallpox was finally eradicated, after causing an estimated 300–500 million deaths in the 20th century.

1980: WHO officially declares the world free of smallpox

In 1980, the WHO officially declared the world free of smallpox.

1990: Vaccination rates in developing countries

In the 1980s, only 20 to 40% of children in developing countries were vaccinated against six diseases.

1998: Publication of Wakefield's paper linking vaccines and autism

In 1998, the physician Andrew Wakefield published a paper suggesting a connection between vaccines and autism, specifically the MMR vaccine, which was later discredited due to falsified data.

2000: Vaccinations prevent millions of deaths

According to a 2021 paper, vaccinations against various diseases have prevented an estimated 50 million deaths from 2000 to 2019.

2000: Establishment of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization

In 2000, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization was established to strengthen routine vaccinations and introduce new and underused vaccines in countries with a per capita GDP of under US$1,000.

2001: Thimerosal removed from childhood vaccines in the United States as a precaution

In 2001, thimerosal was removed from childhood vaccines in the United States as a precaution, even though evidence supported its safety and efficacy.

2003: SARS outbreak cost

In 2003, the SARS outbreak in East Asia resulted in an economic cost of $54 billion.

2004: Co-authors retract Wakefield's paper

In 2004, 10 of the original co-authors of Andrew Wakefield's paper published a retraction, stating that no causal link was established between the MMR vaccine and autism.

2006: Global health experts conclude that eradication of polio was only possible if the supply of drinking water and sanitation facilities were improved in slums.

By 2006 global health experts concluded that the eradication of polio was only possible if the supply of drinking water and sanitation facilities were improved in slums.

2007: Studies show major decrease in infectious diseases

In 2007, studies found almost 100% decreases in death rates and about a 90% decrease in exposure rates related to the effectiveness of vaccines on mortality or morbidity rates of those exposed to various diseases.

2009: Adverse event concerns surrounding Pandemrix

In 2009, Pandemrix, a vaccine for the H1N1 pandemic given to around 31 million people, was found to have a higher level of adverse events than alternative vaccines, resulting in legal action. However, a CDC study found that FDA-approved 2009 H1N1 flu shots were not associated with an increased risk for neurological disorders.

2009: Public Health Law Research on vaccination requirements

In 2009, Public Health Law Research reported insufficient evidence to assess the effectiveness of requiring vaccinations for specified jobs, sufficient evidence supporting vaccination requirements for child care facilities and schools, and strong evidence supporting standing orders for healthcare workers to administer vaccines as a public health intervention.

2010: The Lancet officially retracts Wakefield's paper

In 2010, The Lancet officially retracted Andrew Wakefield's 1998 paper linking vaccines and autism, citing incorrect elements, including falsified data and protocols.

2011: Andrew Wakefield stripped of medical license

In 2011, Andrew Wakefield, a proponent of the theory that the MMR vaccine causes autism, was found to have been financially motivated to falsify research data and was subsequently stripped of his medical license.

2013: WHO estimates preventable child deaths

In 2013, the World Health Organization estimated that 29% of deaths of children under five-years-old were vaccine preventable.

2015: Study confirms no link between autism and the MMR vaccine

A study published in 2015 confirmed that there is no link between autism and the MMR vaccine.

2017: Dengvaxia concerns lead to suspension of vaccination program

In 2017, a mass vaccination program in the Philippines was suspended due to Dengvaxia increasing the risk of hospitalization for Dengue fever by 1.58 times in children aged 9 years or younger.

2019: Vaccinations prevent millions of deaths

According to a 2021 paper, vaccinations against various diseases have prevented an estimated 50 million deaths from 2000 to 2019.

December 2020: Start of COVID-19 vaccinations

COVID‑19 vaccinations started from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021.

2020: COVID-19 pandemic affects vaccinations

From 2020 onwards, UNICEF reported on the extent to which children missed out on vaccinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

December 2021: COVID‑19 vaccinations deaths prevented

COVID‑19 vaccinations prevented an additional 14.4 to 19.8 million deaths in 185 countries and territories from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021.

2021: Vaccinations prevent millions of deaths

According to a 2021 paper, vaccinations against various diseases have prevented an estimated 50 million deaths from 2000 to 2019.

June 2022: COVID‑19 vaccinations prevented millions of deaths

According to a June 2022 study, COVID‑19 vaccinations prevented an additional 14.4 to 19.8 million deaths in 185 countries and territories from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021.

2022: Number of children missing DTP vaccine reported

In 2022, 13.9 million children did not receive a single dose of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP).

2023: Vaccination programs getting 'back on track'

By summer 2023, UNICEF described vaccination programs as getting "back on track".

2023: DTP vaccine coverage stalled, number of unvaccinated children increased

In 2023, a WHO/UNICEF report highlighted that the number of children who received three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) stalled at 84%. The number of children who did not receive a single dose of the vaccine increased from 13.9 million in 2022 to 14.5 million in 2023.

2024: WHO/UNICEF report on vaccination coverage

In 2024, a WHO/UNICEF report found that global immunization coverage for the DTP vaccine stalled at 84% in 2023, and the number of children who did not receive a single dose of the vaccine increased to 14.5 million in 2023.