George Washington and Benjamin Franklin supported vaccines.
What about the other Founding Fathers?
Thomas Jefferson on Vaccines
We know that Thomas Jefferson was a big supporter too.
In 1806, Jefferson wrote a letter to Edward Jenner, saying that:
“I have received a copy of the evidence at large respecting the discovery of the vaccine inoculation which you have been pleased to send me, and for which I return you my thanks. Having been among the early converts, in this part of the globe, to its efficiency, I took an early part in recommending it to my countrymen. I avail myself of this occasion of rendering you a portion of the tribute of gratitude due to you from the whole human family. Medicine has never before produced any single improvement of such utility. Harvey’s discovery of the circulation of the blood was a beautiful addition to our knowledge of the animal economy, but on a review of the practice of medicine before and since that epoch, I do not see any great amelioration which has been derived from that discovery. You have erased from the calendar of human afflictions one of its greatest. Yours is the comfortable reflection that mankind can never forget that you have lived. Future nations will know by history only that the loathsome small-pox has existed and by you has been extirpated.
Accept my fervent wishes for your health and happiness and assurances of the greatest respect and consideration.”
Thomas Jefferson
Not only did he support and praise Edward Jenner, Jefferson did his own smallpox vaccine trials!
More on Thomas Jefferson and Vaccines
- Recognizing Old Vaccine Scars
- Did Edward Jenner’s Son Die from a Vaccine Reaction?
- Vaccine Timeline and History of Vaccines
- Historical Immunization Schedules
- Thomas Jefferson Conducted Early Smallpox Vaccine Trials
- Thomas Jefferson and the Smallpox Vaccination
- Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Vaccines
- Invisible Heroes: Battling Smallpox