History of Vaccine in Timeline

A vaccine is a biological preparation designed to provide active acquired immunity against infectious or malignant diseases. It contains an agent resembling a disease-causing microorganism, often a weakened or killed form of the microbe, its toxins, or surface proteins. Upon administration, the vaccine stimulates the immune system to recognize the agent as a threat. This triggers an immune response, enabling the body to destroy the agent and develop immunological memory. Consequently, the immune system becomes prepared to recognize and neutralize the same microorganism upon future encounters, thus preventing or mitigating the disease.

1928: Diphtheria vaccine incident

In 1928, a Staphylococcus infection from a diphtheria vaccine lacking a preservative resulted in the deaths of 12 out of 21 children.

1931: Fowlpox virus grown in chicken egg

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

1935: Development of yellow fever vaccine using eggs

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

1945: Development of influenza vaccine using eggs

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

1958: Measles outbreak in the United States

In 1958, the United States experienced a significant measles outbreak, with 763,094 cases and 552 deaths reported.

1959: Cell culture replaces eggs 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 the 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: DIVA vaccines coined

In 1999, marker vaccines were coined as DIVA vaccines

2001: Dengue vaccine study highlights serotype interference

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

2003: Idea of vaccine production via transgenic plants identified

In 2003, the idea of vaccine production via transgenic plants was identified.

2005: Thiomersal in U.S. childhood vaccines

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

2005: Development of bananas producing hepatitis B vaccine

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 importation in the U.S.

In early 2008, the United States reported 64 suspected cases of measles, with a majority of infections linked to importation from other countries. Most of the affected individuals had not been vaccinated against measles or were unsure of their vaccination status.

2009: HPV vaccine recommended in the UK

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

2011: HPV vaccine recommended in the U.S.

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

2013: Vaccine Market Share

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

2013: Development of 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 to help prevent vaccine resistance.

2016: DNA vaccine for Zika virus begins testing

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

2019: WHO characterizes 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 during COVID-19 pandemic

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

2021: Karikó and Weissman receive Horwitz Prize for mRNA vaccine technology

In 2021, Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman received Columbia University's Horwitz Prize for their pioneering research in mRNA vaccine technology.

2021: WTO evaluates waiving IP rights for COVID-19 vaccines

In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Trade Organization and governments considered waiving intellectual property rights and patents on COVID-19 vaccines to improve access and scale up manufacturing.