Before 1796, Americans had limited defenses against deadly diseases such as smallpox, measles, and diphtheria. Over the next 250 years, vaccines revolutionized public health by reducing and eliminating many illnesses.

Fox News senior medical analyst, Dr. Marc Siegel, highlights the role of vaccines as key public health tools. Vaccines stimulate an immune response, building a ‘memory’ to fight infections when encountered.

The benefits of vaccines far exceed their potential risks, Dr. Siegel states. Significant medical achievements in the U.S. include:

Smallpox

Smallpox, a viral disease, caused a death rate of 30% among infected individuals. Edward Jenner developed a successful vaccine in 1796 that led to its global eradication.

Rabies

Rabies affects the brain and is nearly always fatal after symptoms appear. Louis Pasteur’s 1885 vaccine remains essential for preventing the disease after exposure.

Diphtheria

This bacterial infection was a major cause of youth deaths in the early 20th century. Introduced in the 1920s, diphtheria vaccinations drastically decreased incidence rates.

Tetanus

Caused by Clostridium tetani, this disease results in severe muscle spasms. The 1920s introduction of the tetanus vaccine reduced fatalities from the condition.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Whooping cough leads to severe coughing fits, impacting infants severely. Vaccines introduced in the 1940s curtailed its incidence significantly.

Influenza

The flu caused widespread illness annually. The first vaccine in 1945 marked the beginning of effective prevention, reducing serious complications and deaths.

Polio

Polio led to paralysis and death for thousands before Jonas Salk’s vaccine in 1955. The U.S. declared itself free of wild polio in 1979.

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

The combined MMR vaccine launched in 1971 reduced these diseases by over 99%.

Hepatitis B

Transmission of hepatitis B, a liver infection, drastically reduced after the 1981 vaccine and subsequent universal infant vaccinations.

Hib

Haemophilus influenzae type b was once a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children. Vaccinations beginning in 1985 greatly decreased cases.

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Before the 1995 vaccine, chickenpox caused millions of infections annually. Widespread vaccinations have avoided serious complications.

Hepatitis A

Often spread via contaminated food and water, hepatitis A infections dropped by over 95% post-vaccination in 1995.

Pneumococcal Disease

Pneumococcal disease once led to thousands of severe infections and deaths in children. The 2000 vaccine effectively lowered cases.

HPV

Introduced in 2006, the HPV vaccine became the first designed to prevent multiple cancers, greatly reducing infection and disease rates.

Rotavirus

Before the 2006 vaccine, rotavirus caused severe digestive issues in children. The vaccine has dramatically lowered hospitalization rates.

Shingles

The Shingrix vaccine, introduced in 2017, reduced risk of shingles and associated nerve pain, especially in older adults.

COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted emergency authorization of vaccines in 2020, significantly mitigating severe illness and death.

Vaccines have eradicated or reduced numerous diseases, illustrating their profound effect on public health. Contact a healthcare provider to discuss personalized vaccine recommendations.