The western history of vaccines seldom mentions China, so I’ll start there, explaining why I’ll post this on my iLookChina bog first.
“The Liao Dynasty, which existed around the 10th century, is thought to be the first Chinese dynasty to use inoculation, an early form of vaccination. The son of a statesman was inoculated against smallpox by having a powder made from smallpox scabs blown into his nose. Another method was to scratch smallpox into the skin.
“The Chinese method of inoculation, known as variolation, spread to other countries in the 17th century. In 1689, Russian envoys visited the Qing Dynasty to learn about variolation, which was considered a concept that included both treatment and prevention. In 1726, Jesuit missionaries in Beijing reported on variolation to European countries, but it was not widely accepted.
“In 1796, Dr. Edward Jenner scientifically tested a method to protect against smallpox using the cowpox virus. He is often considered the father of vaccines for his scientific approach.”
“Number of Lives saved by vaccines from 1974 to 2024 — more than 153 million.” — Our World in Data
Not counting the fact that vaccines have saved 150 million children over the last 50 years. — Our World in Data
Next, learn about polio epidemics and the development, approval and impact of the polio vaccine.
“1948-1955: Before a polio vaccine became available, several polio epidemics had occurred between 1948 and 1955. Many people avoided crowds and public gatherings, such as fairs, sports games and swimming pools, during this time due to concern about getting polio. Some parents wouldn’t let their children play with new friends and regularly checked them for symptoms.” — Mayo Clinic
Maybe what Putin wants his puppet, Donald Trump, his supporters, and 2nd administration, to do in the United States is create a pandemic worse than the black plague. It’s no secret that Putin wants to destroy the United States and the EU anyway possible to elevate Russia to superpower status, knocking the US off that perch.
“The Black Death was so extreme that it’s surprising even to scientists who are familiar with the general details. The epidemic killed 30 to 50 percent of the entire population of Europe. Between 75 and 200 million people died in a few years’ time, starting in 1348 when the plague reached London.”
Thirty percent of the US population would add up to more than 100,000,000 [million] deaths.
“The bubonic plague left its mark on the human population of Europe, showing that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” — American Scientist
Did you know that General George Washington mandated [required with no choice] that his army be vaccinated to protect them from smallpox that was spreading through the colonies during the revolution that led to the birth of the United States?
“Before the invention of vaccinations in 1796, people had very few ways to protect themselves from disease.”
George Washington was a well-educated and literate person.
Unlike the convicted rapist, fraud and felon, lover of dictators, who wants to be a dictator, the dumber-than-dumb, doesn’t like to read, doesn’t like to exercise, Donald Trump, his supporters, and his incoming administration.
*****
Lloyd Lofthouse is the author of My Splendid Concubine and The Josh Kavanagh Thrillers.
iLook China 
Sorry, Lloyd. I just assumed the post was from Jocelyn. I missed the heading. A very good article. And timely.
So interesting facts. Thank you, Jocelyn.