Who was “Dr.” Edward Jenner?
His 18th century work with cow pus and horse grease is the foundation of modern vaccinology. There is an Edward Jenner Museum and an Edward Jenner Institute for Vaccine Research. Most text references to this man depict him as a “brilliant scientist” and the “father of modern vaccinology.” It appears, however, such accolades were politically motivated rather than based upon Jenner’s scientific contributions to public health. A mandatory mass vaccination campaign using Jenner’s vaccine caused much misery in 19th century England and was linked to the proliferation of syphilis. Now the same kind of mandated mass vaccination campaign is planned for 21st century America. by Barbara Flynn In 1853 English law mandated the administration of an unproven “vaccinia” vaccine; by 1867 fines and jail sentences awaited those who refused to be vaccinated. Forced smallpox vaccination caused massive epidemics of smallpox and syphilis among British subjects and led to the creation of a Royal Commission in
