Did smallpox vaccines save lives?

Smallpox is believed to have appeared around 10,000 BCE. In the 12,000 years since, smallpox has had a devastating impact on humanity, killing millions. About 300,000 lives were lost worldwide in just the 77 years before its eradication

American Revolutionary War figures, including Thomas Jefferson, prioritized the vaccination of their own families. Jefferson had his children vaccinated against smallpox, understanding the risks associated with the disease and the potential for vaccination to save lives.

Inoculation, a precursor to vaccination, was a common practice during that time to combat smallpox. Inoculation involved deliberately infecting individuals with a mild form of smallpox to induce immunity. George Washington, for example, ordered the inoculation of his troops during the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge. This proactive measure aimed to prevent outbreaks and reduce the severity of smallpox cases among his soldiers.

In 1959, the WHO announced its goal of eradicating smallpox but had a rocky start. In 1967, they started the Intensified Eradication Program,  with better vaccines and new tools to fight smallpox. One such tool was a system to track cases and large-scale vaccination campaigns. The last naturally-occurring case of smallpox was in 1977. Smallpox was eradicated from humans in 1980. It now only exists in a lab.

Fortunately, we did not rely on an anti-vaccine book written in 1889 to guide our public health strategy.