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Jenner is an odd choice over Hilleman. Jenner discovered the underlying ideas of vaccines, yes, but he also did relatively little to actually save lives. It wa

Jenner is an odd choice over Hilleman. Jenner discovered the underlying ideas of vaccines, yes, but he also did relatively little to actually save lives. It was Hilleman who actually realized vaccines as a medical intervention/the standard of care, and brought them to the people. It's estimated he's saved ~0.5-1 billion lives, basically directly. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Hilleman https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Hilleman Of the 14 recommended vaccines in the US, he developed 8 of them.

tekla 3y ago
I have a hard time understanding how the creation and distribution of the smallpox vaccine did little to save lives. As per wikipedia > In Jenner's time, smallpox killed around 10% of global population, with the number as high as 20% in towns and cities where infection spread more easily. His vaccine was in use for over a hundred years as a 1st gen vaccine until the early 20th century.
- COGlory 3y ago
  > I have a hard time understanding how the creation and distribution of the smallpox vaccine did little to save lives. Not did little - did relatively little when compared to Hilleman, who operated on such a greater scale and developed 40+ useable vaccines. For every usable vaccine, there are dozens or hundreds that work in theory, but not in practice, for so many different issues. Hilleman didn't just solve those issues, he developed the field of solving those issues, and his methodology, techniques, and end products remain cutting edge even today. It's impossible to overstate the effect Hilleman has had on the unprecedented immunity bubble we are living in. Jenner did great work, but it was also an advance of an existing field. Variolation existed and was effective. Vaccination was a great step forward, but smallpox deaths were declining by the time he developed the method. I've no real issue with either of them making an arbitrary list, but I guess I consider Hilleman's body of work to be so much larger and more effective. Not at all any disparagement of Jenner, just...Hilleman accomplished that much.
rcme 3y ago
Would Hilleman have been able to develop vaccines had Jenner not developed the first ~200 years earlier? In a way, any lives saved by Hilleman can be partially attributed to Jenner as well.

tekla 3y ago

I have a hard time understanding how the creation and distribution of the smallpox vaccine did little to save lives. As per wikipedia > In Jenner's time, smallpox killed around 10% of global population, with the number as high as 20% in towns and cities where infection spread more easily. His vaccine was in use for over a hundred years as a 1st gen vaccine until the early 20th century.

COGlory 3y ago
> I have a hard time understanding how the creation and distribution of the smallpox vaccine did little to save lives. Not did little - did relatively little when compared to Hilleman, who operated on such a greater scale and developed 40+ useable vaccines. For every usable vaccine, there are dozens or hundreds that work in theory, but not in practice, for so many different issues. Hilleman didn't just solve those issues, he developed the field of solving those issues, and his methodology, techniques, and end products remain cutting edge even today. It's impossible to overstate the effect Hilleman has had on the unprecedented immunity bubble we are living in. Jenner did great work, but it was also an advance of an existing field. Variolation existed and was effective. Vaccination was a great step forward, but smallpox deaths were declining by the time he developed the method. I've no real issue with either of them making an arbitrary list, but I guess I consider Hilleman's body of work to be so much larger and more effective. Not at all any disparagement of Jenner, just...Hilleman accomplished that much.

rcme 3y ago

Would Hilleman have been able to develop vaccines had Jenner not developed the first ~200 years earlier? In a way, any lives saved by Hilleman can be partially attributed to Jenner as well.