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Smallpox vaccine

The Smallpox vaccine Wikipedia page provides a comprehensive overview of smallpox, a highly contagious and deadly disease, as well as its vaccine. The page begins with a historical background, describing smallpox as one of the deadliest diseases in human history and its eventual eradication in 1980.

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The page begins with a historical background, describing smallpox as one of the deadliest diseases in human history and its eventual eradication in 1980. It then delves into the development of the smallpox vaccine, which was the first successful vaccine ever created. The page provides in-depth information about the vaccine's inception, starting with Edward Jenner's groundbreaking discovery in the late 18th century. It explains how Jenner observed that milkmaids who had contracted cowpox did not develop smallpox and conducted experiments to develop a method to protect against the disease. His use of cowpox as a substitute for smallpox eventually led to the development of the first smallpox vaccine. Furthermore, the page discusses the different types of vaccines that have been used throughout history, such as the original cowpox-based vaccine, the modern attenuated (weakened) vaccine, and the replication-deficient viral vector vaccine. It also explains the various immunization techniques utilized, including scarification and needle injection. The page thoroughly discusses the efficacy and safety of the smallpox vaccine, highlighting its extraordinary success in eradicating smallpox globally. It provides statistics on the number of lives saved due to vaccination programs and emphasizes the importance of a robust vaccination campaign to maintain the disease's eradication status. Additionally, the Wikipedia page examines the various efforts made to preserve live smallpox virus stocks and its ethical implications. It also explores the potential use of smallpox as a bioweapon and the considerations surrounding the destruction versus preservation of these stocks. Throughout the article, there are references to other relevant Wikipedia pages related to smallpox, vaccines, historical figures, and scientific concepts. The page concludes with a comprehensive bibliography, including peer-reviewed research articles and other reliable sources for readers to access further information. In summary, the Smallpox vaccine Wikipedia page provides a well-researched and detailed account of the smallpox vaccine's history, development, efficacy, and implications. It offers valuable insights into one of humanity's most significant medical achievements and the ongoing efforts to safeguard against this devastating disease.