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The first state immunization law requiring mandatory smallpox vaccination in schools was passed on March 6, 1809 by the Massachusetts legislature. (Mathews, 2014)
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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.
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The U.S. Supreme Court upheld mandatory smallpox vaccination laws passed by the state of Massachusetts.
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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.
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The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (March of Dimes) was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Basil O'Connor.
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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)
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The first polio vaccine pioneered by Dr. Jonas Salk using killed polioviruses was licensed for public use.
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The first reported cases of paralytic polio in vaccinated people were eventually traced to vaccines produced by Cutter Laboratories in Berkeley, California.
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Dr. Albert Sabin's oral polio vaccine which used live polioviruses was approved for general use by the United States Public Health Service.
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President John F. Kennedy signed the Vaccination Assistance Act of 1962 into law which provided funding to immunization programs across the country.
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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)
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The last case of paralytic polio caused by naturally occurring poliovirus was reported in the United States in 1979.
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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)
