Jenner: Vaccination vs Variolation (1796)
by Anonymous
Edward Jenner observed that milkmaids who caught cowpox were immune to smallpox. He chose to test cowpox inoculation (vaccination) rather than the riskier practice of variolation (inoculating with smallpox itself).
Vaccination (Cowpox)
1796
year
Very low — mild cowpox
risk to patient
Provided immunity to smallpox
effectiveness
Chosen — led to smallpox eradication in 1980
outcome
Variolation (Smallpox)
18th century
year
2-3% death rate
risk to patient
Provided immunity if survived
effectiveness
Replaced by safer vaccination
outcome
No Intervention
N/A
year
30% death rate from natural infection
risk to patient
N/A
effectiveness
Smallpox killed 300+ million in 20th century alone
outcome
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