The Smallpox Vaccine and its Lasting Legacy

If you’re part of the older generation, you might have a small, round scar on your upper arm. This unique mark is a reminder of the smallpox vaccine, which was widely administered before the 1970s. Back then, the vaccine utilized the live Vaccinia virus to develop immunity against the dangerous Variola virus, the culprit behind smallpox.

After getting the vaccine, blisters would form at the injection site, eventually healing and leaving behind a distinctive circular scar. The process involved multiple needle pricks, resulting in blisters, temporary swelling, and a lump resembling a mosquito bite. Over time, this lump would transform, oozing fluid, until finally healing into the scar that remains to this day.

It’s worth noting that smallpox was eradicated in the Western world by the early 1970s. As a result, vaccinations for smallpox stopped in the 1980s since there was no longer any risk of exposure. However, the scar serves as a powerful reminder of a once-deadly disease that plagued humanity.

Who would have thought that a simple scar could hold such historical significance?