Historical Documents & Primary Sources
Curated excerpts from foundational texts in vaccine history
This page presents primary source materials from the history of vaccination — original principles, foundational statements, and historical documents that shaped vaccine science and policy. Each card preserves the original language in context.
Principles of Vaccination (1929)
Adapted from: W.W.C. Topley and G.S. Wilson, The Principles of Bacteriology and Immunity (New York: William Wood & Co., 1929)
- A vaccine should not cause harm to a healthy child.
- The adverse effects of vaccination should not exceed the burden of the disease it prevents.
- Administration should be practical and straightforward.
- Vaccination should confer both individual and population-level benefit.
- The immunity produced by vaccination should be durable enough to minimize the need for frequent re-administration.
More historical documents will be added as they are researched and verified.