Timeline — 2010-2019
57 Entries
Wakefield paper retracted, MenAfriVac deployed, Ebola vaccine development, the Disneyland measles outbreak, Dengvaxia crisis, and CEPI founded
Try: Wakefield, Ebola, Disneyland, measles, Dengvaxia, CEPI, HPV
Showing 57 of 57 entries
Wakefield Paper Retracted by The Lancet
Safety EventThe Lancet formally retracted Wakefield's 1998 paper after the UK General Medical Council found he had acted dishonestly and irresponsibly. Wakefield's medical license was revoked.
PCV13 (Prevnar 13) Licensed
Discovery & Development13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine replaced PCV7, expanding serotype coverage. Later extended to adults 50+ in 2011.
MenAfriVac Deployed Across Sub-Saharan Africa
International ProgramMenAfriVac, developed by the Meningitis Vaccine Project (WHO/PATH), was deployed across the African meningitis belt at under $0. 50 per dose.
Japan HPV Vaccine Controversy
Safety EventFollowing reports of complex regional pain syndrome and other symptoms in HPV-vaccinated girls, Japan suspended its proactive recommendation for HPV vaccination in 2013. The suspension lasted until 2022, during which vaccination rates fell from over 70% to under 1%.
Bruesewitz v. Wyeth Reaches Supreme Court
Legal & LegislativeThe U. S.
Bruesewitz v. Wyeth (Supreme Court)
Legal & LegislativeSupreme Court ruled 6-2 that NCVIA preempts state design-defect claims.
Nobel Prize: Steinman, Beutler, Hoffmann (Innate Immunity)
Nobel PrizeAwarded for discoveries concerning the activation of innate immunity (Beutler and Hoffmann) and the role of dendritic cells in adaptive immunity (Steinman). Directly relevant to understanding how vaccines trigger immune responses.
Rinderpest Declared Eradicated
Disease EradicationRinderpest (cattle plague) became the second disease eradicated through vaccination, after smallpox. The FAO/OIE Global Rinderpest Eradication Programme used mass vaccination and surveillance.
India Records Last Wild Polio Case
Disease EradicationIndia, once considered the most challenging country for polio eradication, recorded its last case of wild poliovirus on January 13, 2011. The WHO South-East Asia Region was certified polio-free in 2014.
Fluzone High-Dose Recommended for Seniors
Regulatory MilestoneACIP gave a preferential recommendation for Fluzone High-Dose for adults 65 and older, based on data showing 24% greater efficacy compared to standard-dose influenza vaccine.
Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) Adopted
International ProgramThe World Health Assembly endorsed the Global Vaccine Action Plan, setting the goal of delivering universal access to immunization by 2020. The decade of vaccines aimed to prevent millions of deaths.
MERS Coronavirus Identified
Scientific BreakthroughMiddle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was identified in Saudi Arabia. MERS vaccine candidates entered development, adding to the coronavirus vaccine research base that would prove critical for COVID-19 response.
California Pertussis Epidemic
Public Health CampaignCalifornia experienced a major pertussis epidemic with over 9,000 cases and 10 infant deaths, the worst outbreak in 70 years. The epidemic highlighted waning immunity from DTaP and low vaccination rates in some communities.
Pentacel and Pediarix Combination Vaccines Widely Adopted
Regulatory MilestoneCombination vaccines (DTaP-IPV-Hib and DTaP-HepB-IPV) became widely adopted, reducing the number of injections needed in the infant series while maintaining immunogenicity for all components.
McCarthy Book and Anti-Vaccine Media Surge
Anti-Vaccination MovementAnti-vaccine messaging intensified on social media platforms, with celebrities and influencers reaching millions. Studies documented that anti-vaccine content was shared more widely than pro-vaccine content on Facebook and Twitter.
Japan Suspends HPV Vaccine Recommendation
Safety EventJapan's Ministry of Health suspended its proactive recommendation for HPV vaccination following reports of adverse events. Vaccination rates plummeted from over 70% to under 1%, a decision later reversed in 2022.
Polio Vaccine Contamination in Belgium
Safety EventA manufacturing incident at GlaxoSmithKline's facility in Belgium released live poliovirus into wastewater, prompting investigation and containment measures. No human cases resulted.
WHO Global Vaccine Safety Initiative (GVSI) Launched
Regulatory MilestoneWHO launched the Global Vaccine Safety Initiative to strengthen vaccine pharmacovigilance capacity worldwide, supporting national regulatory authorities in monitoring and responding to adverse events.
First Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine Licensed
Discovery & DevelopmentFDA licensed the first quadrivalent (four-strain) influenza vaccine, adding a second B lineage strain to improve seasonal flu vaccine coverage.
Ebola Outbreak Accelerates Vaccine Development
Public Health CampaignThe 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola epidemic (28,000+ cases, 11,000+ deaths) accelerated development of the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine, demonstrating that vaccines could be developed and tested during an active outbreak.
Rotavac Licensed in India
Discovery & DevelopmentIndia's Bharat Biotech received licensure for Rotavac, a rotavirus vaccine developed from a naturally attenuated Indian neonatal strain. Priced at approximately $1 per dose for public sector use.
Bexsero (MenB Vaccine) Licensed in United States
Discovery & DevelopmentFDA licensed Bexsero (GSK), the first serogroup B meningococcal vaccine available in the U. S.
CDC Whistleblower Allegations
Anti-Vaccination MovementCDC scientist William Thompson alleged that a 2004 CDC study on MMR and autism had omitted data showing a statistically significant association in a subgroup of African American boys. CDC and independent researchers stated the original findings were valid when properly analyzed.
WHO Prequalifies First Inactivated Polio Vaccine for Developing Countries
Regulatory MilestoneWHO prequalified an affordable IPV produced by the Serum Institute of India, enabling developing countries to add at least one dose of IPV to their schedules as part of the polio endgame strategy.
Disneyland Measles Outbreak
Public Health CampaignA measles outbreak linked to Disneyland in California infected 147 people across seven states. The majority of cases were in unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals.
California SB277 Eliminates Personal Belief Exemptions
Legal & LegislativeFollowing the Disneyland measles outbreak, California passed SB277 eliminating personal belief exemptions for school vaccination requirements, leaving only medical exemptions. Became a model for other states.
rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola Vaccine Trial Results
Discovery & DevelopmentThe rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine showed 100% efficacy in a ring vaccination trial in Guinea during the West Africa outbreak. Demonstrated that vaccine development could be accelerated during public health emergencies.
Global Wild Polio Cases Fall Below 100
Public Health CampaignFor the first time, fewer than 100 cases of wild poliovirus were reported globally (74 cases in 2015), with transmission limited to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Dengvaxia Licensed (First Dengue Vaccine)
Discovery & DevelopmentSanofi's Dengvaxia became the first licensed dengue vaccine, initially approved in Mexico for individuals aged 9-45 in endemic areas.
Wild Poliovirus Type 2 Certified Eradicated
Disease EradicationThe Global Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication certified that wild poliovirus type 2 had been eradicated, with the last case detected in India in 1999.
WHO SAGE Recommends IPV/OPV Sequential Schedule
Regulatory MilestoneWHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts recommended that all countries using OPV introduce at least one dose of IPV into their routine schedules as part of the polio endgame strategy.
European Migrant Crisis Highlights Vaccination Gaps
Public Health CampaignThe large-scale movement of refugees and migrants into Europe exposed significant vaccination gaps, prompting WHO and UNICEF to issue guidance on catch-up vaccination for displaced populations.
Gardasil 9 (Nine-Valent HPV Vaccine) Licensed
Regulatory MilestoneFDA licensed Gardasil 9, expanding HPV coverage from four to nine types and potentially preventing approximately 90% of HPV-related cancers. ACIP recommended it as the preferred HPV vaccine.
Philippines Dengvaxia Crisis Begins
Safety EventThe Philippines launched mass Dengvaxia vaccination of schoolchildren. Sanofi later disclosed that Dengvaxia could worsen disease in individuals not previously infected with dengue.
Australia No Jab, No Pay Policy
Legal & LegislativeAustralia removed the conscientious objection exemption from its childhood vaccination requirements, tying family assistance payments to up-to-date vaccination status with only medical exemptions permitted.
Global OPV2 Withdrawal (Switch from tOPV to bOPV)
International ProgramIn the largest synchronized vaccine switch in history, 155 countries simultaneously replaced trivalent OPV with bivalent OPV (removing the type 2 component) in April 2016, following certification that wild type 2 poliovirus had been eradicated.
Shingrix Development Completed
Discovery & DevelopmentGSK completed Phase III trials of Shingrix, a recombinant adjuvanted shingles vaccine showing over 90% efficacy across all age groups, significantly outperforming the live Zostavax vaccine.
CEPI Founded (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations)
International ProgramCEPI was founded at the World Economic Forum in Davos to finance and coordinate development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases. Initial priority pathogens included MERS, Nipah, and Lassa fever.
Sanofi Dengvaxia Safety Disclosure
Safety EventSanofi disclosed that Dengvaxia could cause more severe dengue disease in people who had never been infected with dengue before vaccination. This triggered the Philippines crisis and WHO revised its recommendation to pre-vaccination screening.
Dengvaxia Crisis: Philippines Suspension and Fallout
Safety EventFollowing Sanofi's safety disclosure, the Philippines suspended its Dengvaxia school vaccination program. Public trust in all vaccines declined, contributing to a measles outbreak that killed hundreds in 2019.
Shingrix (Recombinant Shingles Vaccine) Licensed
Regulatory MilestoneFDA licensed Shingrix for adults 50 and older. ACIP preferentially recommended it over Zostavax due to superior efficacy (over 90% vs.
Italy Mandatory Vaccination Law
Legal & LegislativeItaly expanded its mandatory vaccination requirements from four to ten vaccines for school enrollment, responding to declining MMR coverage and measles outbreaks. Non-compliant families faced fines.
Gavi Reaches 700 Million Children
International ProgramGavi announced it had helped vaccinate more than 700 million children in the world's poorest countries since 2000, preventing an estimated 10 million deaths.
WHO Recommends Cholera Vaccine for Endemic Areas
Regulatory MilestoneWHO recommended use of oral cholera vaccines as a complement to traditional prevention measures in endemic areas and during outbreaks, with Gavi supporting stockpile and deployment.
European Measles Resurgence
Public Health CampaignEurope experienced its worst measles resurgence in decades, with over 82,000 cases and 72 deaths across the WHO European Region. Ukraine, France, and Italy were hardest hit due to suboptimal vaccination coverage.
Ebola Vaccine Deployed in DRC Outbreak
Public Health CampaignThe rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine was deployed during the 2018-2020 DRC outbreak using ring vaccination strategy, vaccinating over 300,000 people. Demonstrated real-world effectiveness of the vaccine developed during the West Africa epidemic.
FDA Approves First Cell-Culture Flu Vaccine (Flucelvax)
Regulatory MilestoneFDA approved the first cell-culture-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine, eliminating the need for egg-based manufacturing and potentially improving vaccine match to circulating strains.
mRNA Vaccine Platform Advances (Moderna Phase I Trials)
Scientific BreakthroughModerna initiated Phase I clinical trials for mRNA-based vaccines against multiple pathogens, demonstrating the platform's versatility and building the manufacturing and regulatory experience that enabled rapid COVID-19 vaccine development.
Samoa Measles Resurgence Precursor: Vaccination Errors
Safety EventTwo infants in Samoa died after receiving MMR vaccine that had been incorrectly reconstituted with a muscle relaxant instead of the proper diluent. Samoa suspended its MMR program, contributing to the 2019 measles epidemic that killed 83 people.
Samoa Measles Epidemic
Public Health CampaignFollowing the 2018 MMR suspension, Samoa's vaccination rate plummeted to approximately 31%. A measles epidemic killed 83 people (mostly children), prompting a national vaccination campaign and state of emergency.
Ebola Vaccine (Ervebo) Licensed by FDA
Regulatory MilestoneFDA licensed Ervebo (rVSV-ZEBOV), the first FDA-approved Ebola vaccine, following successful deployment during outbreaks in West Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
U.S. Measles Cases Reach 25-Year High
Safety EventThe U. S.
New York Ends Religious Exemption for School Vaccines
Legal & LegislativeNew York state eliminated religious exemptions for school vaccination requirements during its worst measles outbreak in decades, joining California, West Virginia, and Mississippi as states allowing only medical exemptions.
Penbraya (Hexavalent) Development
Discovery & DevelopmentSanofi completed development of the first hexavalent combination vaccine for U. S.
WHO Lists Vaccine Hesitancy as Top 10 Global Health Threat
Regulatory MilestoneWHO named vaccine hesitancy one of the top ten threats to global health in 2019, alongside climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and pandemic influenza.
Wild Poliovirus Type 3 Certified Eradicated
Disease EradicationWHO certified that wild poliovirus type 3 had been eradicated globally, with the last detected case in Nigeria in 2012. Only wild poliovirus type 1 remained in circulation.
Vaxelis (Hexavalent) Licensed in United States
Regulatory MilestoneFDA licensed Vaxelis (MSP Vaccine Company), a hexavalent vaccine combining DTaP, IPV, Hib, and hepatitis B antigens in a single injection for infants, reducing the number of shots in the primary series.