American vaccines that transformed public health over 250 years: 'Outweighs harm'
As America turns 250, experts praise 17 vaccines that have dramatically cut disease and death rates. Vaccines have helped eliminate or dramatically reduce many vaccine-preventable infectious diseases, preventing millions of illnesses, infections and deaths. The benefits of vaccines vastly outweigh any harm, with true vaccines designed to provoke an immune response to pathogens when they appear.
- ▪The first successful vaccine was developed in 1796, providing protection against deadly infectious diseases like smallpox, measles, and diphtheria.
- ▪Vaccines have prevented millions of illnesses, infections, and deaths over the past 250 years.
- ▪The smallpox vaccine is considered one of the most significant medical achievements in US history, having eliminated a highly contagious viral disease that killed about 30% of those infected.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
America 250 American vaccines that transformed public health over 250 years: 'Outweighs harm' As America turns 250, experts praise 17 vaccines that have dramatically cut disease and death rates By Melissa Rudy Fox News Published July 1, 2026 7:09am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video CDC panel changes COVID vaccine guidance Fox News chief Washington correspondent Mike Emanuel reports on the CDC's decision to update COVID vaccine guidance and more on 'Special Report.' NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Before the first successful vaccine was developed in 1796, Americans had little protection against deadly infectious diseases like smallpox, measles and diphtheria.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Fox News.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Fox News
