History of Vaccine in Timeline

A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a specific infectious or malignant disease. It works by introducing an agent that resembles the disease-causing microorganism, often in weakened or killed form, or a part of it like a toxin or surface protein. This agent stimulates the immune system to recognize it as a threat. The immune system then destroys the agent and remembers it, allowing it to recognize and destroy the actual microorganism upon future encounters. Vaccines have undergone extensive study, confirming their safety and effectiveness in preventing diseases.

1928: Diphtheria vaccine incident

In 1928, a Staphylococcus infection killed 12 of 21 children inoculated with a diphtheria vaccine that lacked a preservative.

1931: Cultivation of fowlpox virus 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 reported, resulting in 552 deaths.

1959: Growth media and cell culture replaced eggs as standard method of 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

In 1990, during preparations 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 DIVA vaccines

Since 1999, marker vaccines have been coined as DIVA vaccines and the first DIVA vaccines and companion diagnostic tests were developed.

2001: Dengue vaccine study

A 2001 study noted a problem with dengue vaccines, where the DEN-3 serotype was found to predominate and suppress the response to DEN-1, -2 and -4 serotypes.

2003: Identification of vaccine production via transgenic plants

The idea of vaccine production via transgenic plants was identified as early as 2003.

2005: Thiomersal content in 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 that produce a human vaccine against hepatitis B

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 in the United States

In early 2008, there were 64 suspected cases of measles in the United States. A significant number were linked to importation from other countries, but most individuals affected were either unvaccinated or uncertain of their vaccination status.

2009: HPV vaccine recommendation in the UK

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

2011: HPV 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 share was concentrated among Merck, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, and Novartis, with 70% of sales 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, with the hope that this will help prevent vaccine resistance.

2016: Zika virus DNA vaccine testing begins

In 2016, a DNA vaccine for the Zika virus began testing at the National Institutes of Health, and Inovio Pharmaceuticals and GeneOne Life Science started tests of a different DNA vaccine against Zika 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 massively deployed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: WTO considers waiving COVID-19 vaccine patents

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 and scale up manufacturing.