This is a picture we will no longer see today. Why? Because of vaccines.
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These two boys had been exposed to the same Smallpox source – one was vaccinated, one was not. The image illustrates the real and enormous difference vaccination makes. Through all of human history, we have eradicated only one disease – Smallpox. In 1801, Edward Jenner hoped his discovery of vaccination would bring nothing less than the annihilation of Smallpox. His hope was realized. On May 24th, 1980, Smallpox was declared eradicated by the World Health Organization.
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While we won’t see this picture today, the unfortunate truth is that even in 2018 we continue to see similar ones with other devastating diseases like Measles and Diphteria. All of which are preventable with one seemingly simple thing: vaccines.
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Credit: Gareth Williams. Angel of Death: the Story of Smallpox
