Vaccine: The Human Story 6. The Last Battle
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Apr 8, 2022 
William Foege, a public health physician instrumental in smallpox eradication, shares captivating stories from the global campaign. He reveals how the 'ring-fence' vaccination strategy, initially inspired by firefighters, became crucial in Nigeria and beyond. Fascinating anecdotes include negotiating with smugglers in India to facilitate vaccinations. Foege emphasizes that while technology played a role, it was the extraordinary human cooperation and resilience that truly triumphed, culminating in the joyous WHO declaration of smallpox's eradication in 1980.
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New York's Rapid Mass Vaccination
- Eugene LeBar's travel-related infection triggered a massive New York vaccination drive in 1947.
- Dr. Israel Weinstein mobilized 179 sites and vaccinated 6.5 million people within a month to stop smallpox.
Technology And Scarce Funding Shaped Strategy
- Technical advances made eradication feasible: freeze-dried vaccine and bifurcated needles improved reach and efficiency.
- The WHO's initial funding was tiny, forcing highly cost-effective strategies.
Ring-Fence Vaccination Born In Nigeria
- William Foege used his US Forest Service fireline experience to develop ring-fence vaccination in Nigeria.
- He vaccinated infected villages then targeted likely incubation areas, stopping transmission with limited vaccine.