Health & People: Vaccination & the Spread of DiseaseđGCSE History Learning & Revision
Before Edward Jenner's work, smallpox was a deadly and highly contagious disease. The common method of prevention, inoculation, was risky, expensive, and not always effective. Jenner observed that milkmaids who contracted cowpox seemed immune to smallpox. He tested this theory by inoculating people with cowpox, finding it provided protection against smallpox. Despite initial resistance from religious groups and doctors, vaccination gradually gained acceptance due to its lower risk and government support. By 1853, vaccination was made compulsory in Britain, marking a significant step toward eradicating smallpox.Don't miss out on subscribing for more educational content tailored to help you succeed in your exams. Perfect for AQA, OCR, Edexcel, CIE and WJEC exam boards.â Click here to see all of our GCSE History content!