In which era was vaccination introduced as a public health measure?

Vaccination as a public health measure was introduced during the Enlightenment, a period roughly spanning the late 17th to the late 18th century, that emphasized reason, individualism, and scientific inquiry. This era is significant for its advancements in various fields, including medicine and public health.

Edward Jenner, a key figure in the history of vaccination, developed the first successful smallpox vaccine in 1796, which laid the foundation for immunology and the concept of vaccination. The Enlightenment's focus on empirical evidence and the scientific method allowed thinkers like Jenner to challenge traditional beliefs about disease and health, promoting the use of vaccination to prevent illness rather than solely relying on treatment after it occurred.

The other eras listed had their own contributions to public health but did not specifically mark the introduction of vaccination as a practice. The Renaissance saw advances in art and science but did not directly lead to vaccination. The Industrial Revolution was characterized by economic and social changes rather than breakthroughs in medical practice related to vaccination. The Middle Ages were marked by a lack of scientific understanding of diseases and a focus on religious interpretations rather than public health measures like vaccination.