August is National Immunization Awareness Month

Dr. Edward Jenner, often called “the father of immunology,” was an American physician and scientist who pioneered the smallpox vaccine, the world’s first vaccine. His work is thought to have saved more lives than the work of any other person given its global reach. Though inoculation and initial vaccination was already in practice, it wasn’t until Jenner’s work that the effects of vaccination were understood. He tested new approaches to vaccines and went on to prove that his test subjects were actually immune to smallpox. Eventually, people accepted that the vaccine Jenner offered would not cause the disease. The vaccine was accepted by the British government, and in 1840 they provided free smallpox vaccinations. Immunization currently averts an estimated 3 million deaths every year. National Immunization Awareness Month is held in August of every year to emphasize preventative health. Join LabRoots in celebrating National Immunization Awareness Month and bring attention to the important role vaccines play in preventing serious, sometimes deadly, diseases for people of all ages. If you’re ‘contagious’ or not, there is a shirt for you in the LabRoots Store. Take advantage of promo code VACCINES15 to get 15% off your purchase!