225 years ago, in 1776, Edward Jenner administered the first vaccine for smallpox.

50 years ago, in 1971, smallpox was eradicated from the Americas.

41 years ago, in 1980, smallpox was eradicated globally.

Welcome to the Science Library's Smallpox Vaccination exhibit! Follow the links above and below to learn more about significant events in the centuries-long quest to eradicate of one of the worst plagues to afflict humankind. Look back at the earliest attempts to immunize individuals against smallpox and look forward to speculation about how the eradication of smallpox will shape epidemiology in the future.