The Smallpox Vaccine Was Not a Medical Miracle – Its History Was Marred by Scandals
The questionable legacy of the smallpox vaccine
In the annals of medical history, few debates have been as contentious as the one surrounding the smallpox vaccine. In 1868, Dr. Charles T. Pearce, an English physician and early opponent of mandatory vaccination, published a 120-page essay titled “Vaccination: its tested effects on health, mortality, and population.” This essay, available in the Wellcome Collection, offers a damning critique of the smallpox vaccine, questioning its efficacy, safety, and ethical implications. Pearce’s arguments, rooted in meticulous observation and data analysis, resonate with contemporary skepticism towards vaccines, particularly in light of the COVID-19 scandal.
Pearce’s skepticism towards the smallpox vaccine stemmed from his observations of high mortality rates among vaccinated individuals. He noted that “a great number [of vaccinated people] being cut-off in the flower of their age, while those, belonging to the same families, having had small-pox arrived at maturity.” This observation led him to conclude that vaccination, while potentially preventing smallpox, increased the risk of death from other diseases.