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First Mandatory Vaccination Law
The first state immunization law requiring mandatory smallpox vaccination in schools was passed on March 6, 1809 by the Massachusetts legislature. (Mathews, 2014) -
Anti-Vaccination Society of America Formed
The first anti-vaccination organization in United States history was formed by William Tebb, a British anti-vaccination activist, after a visit to New York. -
Jacobson v. Massachusetts
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld mandatory smallpox vaccination laws passed by the state of Massachusetts. -
Polio Epidemic in New York
A polio epidemic was officially announced in Brooklyn, New York. About 6,000 people, mostly young children, died including 2,000 deaths in New York City alone. -
March of Dimes Foundation
The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (March of Dimes) was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Basil O'Connor. -
Worst Year of Poliomyelitis in United States History
In 1952, a record 57,628 cases of poliomyelitis were reported in the United States. Of these cases, 3,145 people died and 21,269 were left with mild to disabling paralysis. (Salk Institute, 2012) -
First Polio Vaccine Approved for Public Use
The first polio vaccine pioneered by Dr. Jonas Salk using killed polioviruses was licensed for public use. -
The Cutter Incident
The first reported cases of paralytic polio in vaccinated people were eventually traced to vaccines produced by Cutter Laboratories in Berkeley, California. -
Sabin Oral Polio Vaccine Approved for Use
Dr. Albert Sabin's oral polio vaccine which used live polioviruses was approved for general use by the United States Public Health Service. -
Vaccination Assistance Act of 1962
President John F. Kennedy signed the Vaccination Assistance Act of 1962 into law which provided funding to immunization programs across the country. -
First Religious Exemption Law to Mandatory Vaccination
New York Public Health Law section 2164 stated that mandatory vaccinations will "not apply to children whose parent, parents, or guardian hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs which are contrary to the practices herein required." (Kraus, 2011) -
Last Poliovirus Case in the U.S.
The last case of paralytic polio caused by naturally occurring poliovirus was reported in the United States in 1979. -
Global Polio Eradication Initiative Launched
At the 41st World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland, a resolution was passed to eradicate worldwide poliomyelitis by the year 2000. (Global Polio Eradication Initiative, 2010)
