The history of the vaccine - video

A new timeline video charts the history of the vaccine, showing the diseases which have been overcome by the power of medicine - and those which scientists are still working on.

In 1803, British physician Edward Jenner devised a technique to prevent smallpox by injecting sufferers with the cowpox virus – it’s now 40 years since the last case was contracted and according to the World Health Organisation, only clean drinking water rivals vaccination in its ability to save lives.

But while the vast majority of the nation (88%) believe that prevention is better than cure, new research released today by global healthcare company GSK shows that more than a quarter (27%) of the public say they would not take every opportunity to protect themselves against diseases through vaccination. 

Watch the video

For more information, visit the GSK website.

Image copyright Mississippi Department of Archives and History.