History of Vaccine in Timeline

A vaccine is a biological preparation designed to provide active acquired immunity against a specific infectious or malignant disease. Its safety and effectiveness are well-established through extensive research. Vaccines typically contain an agent resembling a disease-causing microorganism, often in weakened or killed form, or components like toxins or surface proteins. This agent triggers the immune system to recognize the threat, eliminate it, and develop the ability to recognize and destroy the associated microorganism upon future encounters, thus providing long-term protection.

1928: Diphtheria vaccine incident

In 1928, 12 out of 21 children died after inoculation with a diphtheria vaccine that lacked a preservative, leading to Staphylococcus infection.

1931: Cultivation of fowlpox virus in embryonated chicken egg

In 1931, Alice Miles Woodruff and Ernest Goodpasture documented that the fowlpox virus could be grown in embryonated chicken egg.

1935: Use of eggs for yellow fever vaccine development

In 1935, eggs were used for virus propagation in the development of a yellow fever vaccine.

1945: Use of eggs for influenza vaccine development

In 1945, eggs were used for virus propagation in the development of an influenza vaccine.

1958: Measles outbreak in the United States

In 1958, there were 763,094 cases of measles reported in the United States, resulting in 552 deaths.

1959: Replacement of eggs with cell culture for virus propagation

In 1959, growth media and cell culture replaced eggs as the standard method of virus propagation for vaccines.

1990: Use of pertussis vaccine as adjuvant for anthrax vaccine

In 1990, during preparation for the Persian Gulf campaign, the whole cell pertussis vaccine was used as an adjuvant for the anthrax vaccine to produce a more rapid immune response.

1999: Coining of the term DIVA vaccines

In 1999, DIVA vaccines (formerly marker vaccines) were coined as DIVA vaccines.

2001: Dengue vaccine study

In a 2001 study, it was noted that the DEN-3 serotype of dengue vaccines was found to predominate and suppress the response to DEN-1, -2, and -4 serotypes.

2003: Identification of transgenic plants for vaccine production

As early as 2003, the idea of vaccine production via transgenic plants was identified. Plants such as tobacco, potato, tomato, and banana were considered.

2005: Thiomersal content in childhood vaccines in the U.S.

As of 2005, the only childhood vaccine in the U.S. that contains thiomersal in greater than trace amounts is the influenza vaccine, recommended for children with certain risk factors.

2005: Development of hepatitis B vaccine-producing bananas

In 2005, bananas were developed that produce a human vaccine against hepatitis B.

2006: Introduction of shingles vaccine

In 2006, a vaccine was introduced against shingles, a disease caused by the chickenpox virus, which usually affects the elderly.

2008: Measles cases linked to international importation

In early 2008, 64 suspected cases of measles were reported. Fifty-four of these infections were linked to importation from other countries.

2009: Human papillomavirus vaccine recommendation in the UK

As of 2009, the human papillomavirus vaccine is recommended in the UK.

2011: Human papillomavirus vaccine recommendation in the U.S.

As of 2011, the human papillomavirus vaccine is recommended in the U.S.

2013: Vaccine market share concentration

In 2013, the vaccine market was concentrated, with Merck, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer and Novartis holding 70% of vaccine sales in the EU or US.

2013: Efforts to develop synthetic third-generation vaccines

Since at least 2013, scientists have been trying to develop synthetic third-generation vaccines by reconstructing the outside structure of a virus.

2016: Zika DNA vaccine testing begins

In 2016, a DNA vaccine for the Zika virus began testing at the National Institutes of Health, with separate tests by Inovio Pharmaceuticals and GeneOne Life Science in Miami.

2019: WHO identifies vaccine hesitancy as a top global health threat

In 2019, the World Health Organization characterized vaccine hesitancy as one of the top ten global health threats.

2020: Development of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19

In 2020, mRNA vaccines such as BNT162b2 were developed with the help of Operation Warp Speed and deployed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Evaluation of waiving intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the World Trade Organization and governments evaluated waiving intellectual property rights and patents on COVID-19 vaccines to improve access.