Vaccine: The Human Story

In this episode, we chart the WHO smallpox eradication campaign - an international operation of massive manpower, unlikely allies, and sheer human determination. From the concept of "ring-fence" vaccination beginning with forest firefighters in America, to a junior doctor striking a bargain with smugglers on the India-Bangladesh border, it's a story that spans several continents and reveals how people's unique ability to shape the world can, just occasionally, be used for good.

In the final years of the 19th century, a vast crowd takes to the streets of the city of Leicester, in an outburst of anger at the medical and political establishment. In this episode, we look at the birth of the anti-vaccination movement. With the threat of smallpox absent from our lives, it's difficult to relate to those who resisted the vaccine in the past - but against the backdrop of Victorian class conflict and new sweeping public health measures, the revolutionary new technology became interlinked with concepts of subjugation and control in the minds of many of society's most downtrodden.

At the start of the 19th century, a ship sets sail from Bengal, India, carrying a most peculiar cargo... In this episode, we look at the development of the smallpox vaccine by an English country doctor, which rapidly eclipsed the earlier practice of inoculation. The cowpox vaccine represented an astonishing new development in public health, but also something of a logistical challenge - how to carry it long distances, across the sea? The answer would ignite a fierce culture war, and inextricably link the new technology to the age's great historical movements of power and empire.

In this Episode of Vaccine, we look at the origins of inoculation, a precursor to vaccination which gave people immunity by deliberately infecting them with a mild case of smallpox. With origins in medieval China, it became common practices in countries such as India and Turkey in the 16th and 17th centuries, but still remained unheard of in Europe. Its introduction ignited a fierce and colourful culture war, with a cast of characters including doctors, witchfinders, and fashionable ladies of high society.

Discover the haunting legacy of smallpox, from its devastating impact in London and the Americas to its tragic consequences on Indigenous populations. Learn about pioneering treatments from ancient Baghdad to the controversial use of the disease as a biological weapon at Fort Pitt. Dive into the historical perspectives on disease prevention and the contentious journey towards understanding inoculation. This journey through forgotten terror unveils fascinating tales of suffering, resilience, and the evolution of medical beliefs.

Discover the historical devastation wrought by smallpox, once considered a vicious demon impacting civilizations. Hear about a 12th-century samurai battling the disease and the cultural reverence for smallpox in Africa and India. Delve into the complexities of vaccination and its socio-political implications, especially in light of recent conspiracy theories. The tragic story of Janet Parker, the last UK smallpox victim, sheds light on medical limitations and personal struggles, encapsulating the haunting legacy of this once-feared virus.