History of Vaccination in Timeline

Vaccination is the administration of a vaccine to stimulate the immune system and develop immunity against a disease. Vaccines contain weakened, live, or killed microorganisms, or their components. This process stimulates adaptive immunity, preventing illness from infectious diseases and creating herd immunity when a large population percentage is vaccinated, thus protecting vulnerable individuals. Vaccination's effectiveness is well-documented, with widespread immunity leading to the eradication of smallpox and the elimination of polio and tetanus in many regions. The WHO estimates that vaccination prevents 3.5–5 million deaths annually, with a Lancet study estimating 154 million deaths prevented between 1974 and 2024. However, low vaccination rates, partly due to vaccine hesitancy, have led to a resurgence 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 smallpox eradication

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

1963: Introduction of Measles Vaccine

In wealthy nations the number of measles cases had dropped dramatically after the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963.

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 specific regions

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

In 1974, The Lancet 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 Universal Vaccination Goal

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 acquired outside a laboratory

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 having killed an estimated 300–500 million people in the 20th century.

1980: WHO declares world free of smallpox

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

1990: Low Vaccination Rates in Developing Countries

In the 1990, only 20 to 40% of children in developing countries were vaccinated against six preventable infectious diseases.

1998: Publication of Wakefield's Paper

In 1998, the physician Andrew Wakefield published a paper whose lead author was the physician Andrew Wakefield. His study concluded that eight of the twelve patients, aged three years of age to 10 years of age, developed behavioral symptoms consistent with autism following the administration of the MMR vaccine (an immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella).

2000: Vaccination prevents millions of deaths

According to a 2021 paper, vaccinations against haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus, Japanese encephalitis, measles, neisseria meningitidis serogroup A, rotavirus, rubella, streptococcus pneumoniae, and yellow fever 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 US childhood vaccines

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

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

2004: Retraction of Wakefield's Paper

In 2004, 10 of the original 12 co-authors (not including Wakefield) published a retraction of the article and stated the following: "We wish to make it clear that in this paper no causal link was established between MMR vaccine and autism as the data were insufficient."

2006: Polio Eradication Requires Improved Sanitation

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: Vaccine Effectiveness Studies

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

2009: Adverse Events with 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.

2009: Public Health Law Research Report

In 2009, Public Health Law Research reported that there is sufficient evidence supporting the effectiveness of requiring vaccinations as a condition for attending child care facilities and schools; and that there is strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of standing orders, which allow healthcare workers without prescription authority to administer vaccine as a public health intervention.

2010: The Lancet Retracts Wakefield's Article

In 2010, The Lancet officially retracted Andrew Wakefield's article, stating that several elements of the article were incorrect, including falsified data and protocols.

2011: Andrew Wakefield Stripped of Medical License

In 2011, Andrew Wakefield, a leading 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 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 MMR Vaccine and Autism

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

2017: Dengvaxia suspension in the Philippines

In 2017, the mass vaccination program in the Philippines was suspended, as Dengvaxia, the only approved vaccine for Dengue fever, was found to increase the risk of hospitalization for Dengue fever by 1.58 times in children of 9 years or younger.

2019: Vaccination prevents millions of deaths

December 2020: COVID-19 vaccination prevents millions of deaths

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

2020: COVID-19 pandemic leads to children missing 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 vaccination prevents millions of deaths

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

June 2022: COVID-19 vaccination prevents millions of deaths

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

2022: WHO/UNICEF report on global immunization coverage

In 2022, a WHO/UNICEF report found 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.

2023: Vaccination programs get "back on track"

By summer 2023, UNICEF described vaccination programs as getting "back on track" after disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

2023: WHO/UNICEF report on global immunization coverage

In 2023, a WHO/UNICEF report found "the number of children who received three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) in 2023 – a key marker for global immunization coverage – stalled at 84% (108 million).

2024: WHO/UNICEF report on global immunization coverage

In 2024, a WHO/UNICEF report found the number of children who received three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) in 2023 – a key marker for global immunization coverage – stalled at 84% (108 million).