Women and vaccinations: From smallpox to the future, a tribute to a partnership benefiting humanity for over 200 years

Abstract

perceived to be the main beneficiaries of vaccination. However, even when vaccines are given exclusively to children, herd effect often renders benefit to other segments of society. [2][3][4] Not often is it realized that women have had a close association with vaccines from their advent. They have been key players in the development and implementation of vaccines and, in return, have been major beneficiaries of their use. This article is a compilation of views from experts in vaccinology and women's health examining this unique association. The Role of Women in the Early History of VaccinationPrior to its eradication by vaccination 30 years ago, smallpox was a major public health problem. In the late 18 th century Edward Jenner, an English country physician, realized that while many of his patients bore the scars of smallpox, one group had unblemished skin. These were the milkmaids. Realizing that most of these women had previously suffered from cowpox he inferred that the widely held local belief that cowpox infection rendered protection against smallpox was indeed likely to be valid and extrapolated that this protection may be extended to other individuals if exposed to cowpox. 5 Jenner subsequently inoculated a young boy (James Phipps) with cowpox and, to his satisfaction, found him protected against smallpox (Fig. 1), publishing his findings in 1798. 6 Indeed, the word vaccine is derived from vaccinia (or cowpox), which subsequently protected the recipient from variola (or smallpox). 5 While this landmark discovery is well documented and Jenner's genius widely commended, women played two important and under-appreciated roles. Firstly the excellent cooperation of milkmaids made Jenner's investigations possible. Secondly, one of their number (Sarah Nelms), who was suffering from cowpox at the time, volunteered a lesion on her arm as a source for the inoculum used on the boy. 5 Sarah Nelms established a precedent-other women and girls have since also provided the seed for new vaccines. For example, the Jeryl-Lynn mumps vaccine strain, now established globally as the safest mumps vaccine, was derived some decades ago from a mumps infection of a young girl of the same name. 7,8 Interestingly, in Western countries, a woman pioneered the concept of protection from infectious disease via asymptomatic exposure to an infectious agent even prior to the advent of vaccination. Before Jenner's publication in 1798, the approach most widely used Vaccines have rewarded women handsomely in return. Individual women benefit in many ways ranging from safer pregnancies to preventing cancers to attractive, unblemished skin. Some vaccines are even specifically designed to prevent diseases primarily affecting women such as cervical cancer.Vaccines also have offered societal benefits to women. These include better maternal health and fostering an environment more amenable to effective family planning. With these advances, women become more empowered and have access to better economic opportunities.The challenge of meeting the millen...

Viral hepatitis vaccination during pregnancy

“…3 While the inactive vaccines administered to pregnant women are theoretically believed to not increase the risk of adverse outcomes for mothers or fetuses, [4][5][6] the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) currently accepts administration of only 2 vaccines (influenza and Tdap [tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis]) during pregnancy. 7 The administration of other vaccines to pregnant women should be based on whether the benefits outweigh the risks.…”