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when did they stop vaccinating for smallpox in canada ?

### When did they stop vaccinating for smallpox in Canada?

Smallpox, one of the deadliest diseases in human history, left an indelible mark on populations worldwide. However, Canada, like many other countries, has succeeded in eradicating the disease through vaccination campaigns which began as early as 1916. With the successful eradication of smallpox, the necessity for continued vaccination against the disease diminished.

#### A Long Road to Eradication

In Canada, smallpox vaccine production began in 1916. Despite these efforts, the disease remained a public health threat, with the last endemic case reported in 1946. This case marked the end of regular smallpox transmission within Canada’s borders. However, an outbreak in 1962 from an imported case in Toronto necessitated continued vigilance until the global eradication in 1979.

#### The Phase Out of Smallpox Vaccinations in Canada

Following the global eradication of smallpox, the Canadian government began dismantling its routine vaccination programs. The timeline for the phase out of smallpox vaccination in Canada was as follows:

1. **1972:** Routine smallpox immunizations for children in Canada ended. This stoppage was a response to the shrinking risk of smallpox and a broader move towards prioritizing other vaccines proven necessary for protecting public health.

2. **1977:** Smallpox vaccinations for healthcare workers in Canada also ceased. By this time, the risk of exposure to the virus was considered to be sufficiently low that health care workers were not at significant risk.

3. **1988:** The Canadian Forces halted smallpox vaccinations, concluding a long line of militarized vaccinations intended to protect soldiers against biological warfare threats where smallpox was considered a potential offensive or defensive tool.

By these stages, the Canadian government, in alignment with its international counterparts, ceased the use of smallpox vaccines. The World Health Organization had declared smallpox eradicated in 1980, following a decade-long campaign worldwide to eliminate the virus.

#### Why Stop Vaccinations?

Vaccination programs were discontinued in Canada for several compelling reasons. The most critical was the overwhelming success of global eradication efforts, rendering the risk of smallpox so low that the vaccine’s benefit to public health had diminished significantly. Additionally, vaccinations carry their own risks, including potential adverse reactions. Without the constant threat of the disease, the benefit-risk analysis rendered routine vaccinations against smallpox unnecessary.

#### The Legacy of Smallpox Vaccinations

The story of smallpox eradication in Canada and globally serves as a powerful testament to the efficacy of international health cooperation and the potential of vaccination. Even with the discontinuation of these vaccinations, the knowledge and infrastructure built during the vaccination era continue to inform and enhance public health strategies and national defense against current and future bio-threats.

Currently, there is no routine smallpox vaccination program in Canada. However, in specific scenarios, such as threats related to bioterrorism or public health crises like monkeypox, there might be a consideration to reintroduce smallpox vaccines, given their cross-protective capability. Nonetheless, this is not common practice and would only be employed in extraordinary circumstances.

Understanding the timeline and rationale behind ending routine smallpox vaccinations in Canada provides valuable insights into the evolution of public health strategies and the importance of global health cooperation. It is a reminder that diseases can be conquered and how public health policies evolve as threats change.