History of Vaccine in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 13, 2026

A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a specific infectious disease. It typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism, often derived from weakened or killed forms of the microbe, its toxins, or surface proteins. When introduced into the body, the vaccine stimulates the immune system to recognize the agent as a threat, destroy it, and maintain a memory of it. This process allows the body to fight off future exposures to the actual pathogen much more effectively. Vaccines are considered one of the most significant advancements in medical history, having successfully eradicated diseases like smallpox and dramatically reduced the prevalence of others, such as polio and measles. By fostering herd immunity, vaccines protect both the individual and the broader community, playing a crucial role in global public health and the prevention of widespread epidemics.

1928: Bundaberg diphtheria vaccine tragedy

In 1928, a tragic incident occurred where 12 out of 21 children died from a Staphylococcus infection after receiving a diphtheria vaccine that had not been treated with a necessary preservative.

1931: Cultivation of Fowlpox Virus in Embryonated Eggs

In 1931, researchers Alice Miles Woodruff and Ernest Goodpasture successfully documented that the fowlpox virus could be effectively grown using embryonated chicken eggs, establishing a new methodology for viral study.

1935: Development of Yellow Fever Vaccine

Building upon the technique of using chicken eggs for viral propagation, scientists utilized this method in 1935 to assist in the development of a vaccine for yellow fever.

1945: Development of Influenza Vaccine

In 1945, the practice of using embryonated chicken eggs for virus propagation was applied to the advancement and production of an influenza vaccine.

1958: High Prevalence of Measles in the United States

In 1958, the United States experienced a significant health crisis with 763,094 reported cases of measles, which unfortunately resulted in 552 deaths.

1959: Shift to Cell Culture Propagation

By 1959, the scientific community moved away from using eggs for virus growth, officially adopting growth media and cell culture as the standard method for vaccine production.

1990: Use of Whole Cell Pertussis Vaccine as an Adjuvant

During the preparations for the 1990 Persian Gulf campaign, medical authorities utilized the whole cell pertussis vaccine as an adjuvant for the anthrax vaccine. This strategy was implemented because it facilitated a faster immune response compared to administering the anthrax vaccine alone, which was considered advantageous given the potential for immediate exposure to threats.

2001: Dengue Vaccine Serotype Interference Study

In 2001, a scientific study identified a phenomenon where the DEN-3 serotype in experimental dengue vaccines was found to predominate, effectively suppressing the immune system's response to the DEN-1, DEN-2, and DEN-4 serotypes.

2003: Conceptualization of Transgenic Plant Vaccine Production

In 2003, researchers identified the potential for using transgenic plants, such as tobacco, potatoes, tomatoes, and bananas, as bioreactors to produce human-usable vaccines through genetic modification.

2005: Thiomersal Content in US Childhood Vaccines

As of 2005, the influenza vaccine was identified as the only childhood vaccine in the United States containing more than trace amounts of the preservative thiomersal, and its use was restricted to children with specific risk factors.

2005: Development of Hepatitis B Vaccine in Bananas

During 2005, scientists successfully engineered bananas capable of producing a vaccine designed to protect humans against the hepatitis B virus.

2006: Introduction of Shingles Vaccine

In 2006, a new vaccine was introduced specifically to combat shingles, a condition caused by the chickenpox virus that frequently impacts the elderly population.

2008: Measles Outbreak and Vaccination Status Review

In early 2008, 64 suspected cases of measles were reported in the United States, where the majority of affected individuals were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination history.

2009: Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Recommendation in the UK

As of 2009, the human papillomavirus vaccine was formally recommended for administration in the United Kingdom.

2011: Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Recommendation in the US

In 2011, the human papillomavirus vaccine was officially recommended for use within the United States to help prevent associated infections.

2013: Market Concentration of Vaccine Production

As of 2013, approximately 70% of global vaccine sales were concentrated within the European Union and the United States, with major industry production dominated by companies including Merck, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, and Novartis.

2013: Development of Synthetic Third-Generation Vaccines

In 2013, researchers began efforts to create synthetic third-generation vaccines through the reconstruction of viral outer structures, a technique aimed at mitigating the issue of vaccine resistance.

2016: Testing of Zika DNA Vaccines

In 2016, researchers initiated clinical testing for DNA-based vaccines targeting the Zika virus at the National Institutes of Health and in Miami, though large-scale manufacturing remained an unaddressed challenge at that time.

2019: WHO Identifies Vaccine Hesitancy as a Global Health Threat

In 2019, the World Health Organization officially designated vaccine hesitancy as one of the top ten global health threats, citing the dangers of delayed or refused vaccinations.

2020: Development and Deployment of mRNA Vaccines

Throughout 2020, mRNA vaccines, most notably BNT162b2, were developed with support from Operation Warp Speed and were subsequently deployed on a massive scale to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Evaluation of Intellectual Property Waivers for COVID-19 Vaccines

In 2021, amidst the urgent need for increased vaccine production during the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Trade Organization and global governments assessed the potential for waiving intellectual property rights and patents on vaccines. The goal of this initiative in 2021 was to remove barriers to the accessibility and manufacturing of essential COVID-19 medical supplies.

2021: Recognition of mRNA Pioneer Research

In 2021, scientists Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman were honored with Columbia University's Horwitz Prize in recognition of their foundational research regarding mRNA vaccine technology.