Who is credited with inventing the smallpox vaccination?

The smallpox vaccination is credited to Edward Jenner, who is recognized for his pioneering work in immunology. In 1796, Jenner discovered that milkmaids who had previously contracted cowpox, a disease similar but much less severe than smallpox, appeared to be immune to smallpox. He hypothesized that exposure to cowpox could protect against the more dangerous smallpox. Jenner conducted a now-famous experiment where he inoculated a young boy with material taken from a cowpox sore, and later exposed him to smallpox. The boy did not develop the disease, confirming Jenner's theory and leading to the development of the first successful smallpox vaccine.

This groundbreaking work laid the foundation for the field of vaccination as we know it today and is considered a monumental advancement in public health that eventually led to the eradication of smallpox in 1980. Jenner's discovery demonstrated the potential of vaccinations in preventing infectious diseases, making it a pivotal moment in the history of medicine.