3. Chasing the Sun

Vaccine: The Human Story

In this Episode of Vaccine, we look at the origins of inoculation, a precursor to vaccination which gave people immunity by deliberately infecting them with a mild case of smallpox. With origins in medieval China, it became common practices in countries such as India and Turkey in the 16th and 17th centuries, but still remained unheard of in Europe. Its introduction ignited a fierce and colourful culture war, with a cast of characters including doctors, witchfinders, and fashionable ladies of high society.