The smallpox vaccine was developed by whom and in which century?

Study for the PMLS History of Medical Technology Test. Explore flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question is accompanied by hints and explanations. Get prepared for your exam!

The important idea here is understanding who first established vaccination against smallpox and when that happened. Edward Jenner observed that milkmaids who had contracted cowpox seemed immune to smallpox, a clue that a milder virus could confer protection against a more severe one. He tested this by inoculating a boy with cowpox in 1796 and then showing that the child did not develop smallpox after exposure. This work led to the practice of vaccination, with the term itself derived from vacca, the Latin for cow. Jenner’s breakthrough occurred in the 18th century, making him the correct choice for both who developed the vaccine and in which century. The other figures belong to later advancements or different contexts: Pasteur contributed to later vaccines in the 19th century, Fleming discovered penicillin in the 20th century, and Jenner’s key work was not in the 17th century.