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Explain the significance of the work of Edward Jenner. - AQA - GCSE History - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 2
Explain the significance of the work of Edward Jenner.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Explain the significance of the work of Edward Jenner. - AQA - GCSE History - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Significance of Jenner's Discovery
Answer
Edward Jenner is often referred to as the father of vaccination. His work in 1796, where he used material from cowpox lesions to inoculate a young boy against smallpox, marked the beginning of immunology. This method demonstrated that exposure to a less virulent disease could provide immunity to a more severe one.
Step 2
Step 3
Introduction of Vaccination Programs
Answer
Jenner's discovery led to the establishment of vaccination programs, fundamentally changing how infectious diseases were managed. In 1853, the British government made vaccination against smallpox compulsory, reflecting the significance of his findings in protecting public health.
Step 4
Global Eradication of Smallpox
Answer
By 1980, the World Health Organization announced that smallpox had been eradicated from the world, fundamentally due to the principles established by Jenner’s work. This is one of the most significant achievements in public health history, illustrating the long-lasting impact of his research.