Last updated 13:32, Thursday, 14 August 2008

BIT by bit the vaccination programme against bluetongue is being rolled out. Gradually our sheep and cattle can be given protection against the horrifying effects stemming from an insect bite. Throughout the ages people have been at the mercy of all kinds of disease.

Around 1800, Edward Jenner produced a vaccine against smallpox. Mass immunisation allowed his generation and those in the future to be spared the horrors of epidemics that often devastated communities.

Although vaccination was taken up enthusiastically by many, as it became more widespread there was also some violent opposition.

People found it hard to believe that, as George Gibbs wrote in 1870, “a loathsome virus derived from the blood of a diseased brute” could help prevent smallpox.

There was also a feeling that civil liberties were being imposed upon. In 1853, when the Government imposed compulsory vaccination, George Gibbs set up an anti-vaccination society for people outraged by the idea of “medical spies forcing their way into the family circle”.

The first attempt to use smallpox vaccine on a global scale began in 1956 when the World Health Organisation identified smallpox for eradication worldwide. Smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980 – a remarkable achievement.

Vaccines are available for numerous childhood killers such as diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps and rubella. Happily these illnesses are rare but could cause devastation amongst those who have no resistance or experience of them.

I had chicken pox as an adult and was very poorly quite a while suffering nerve pain for many months afterwards. I would have happily traded an injection and a few days “off colour” to be spared that experience.

Let us be thankful for medical miracles

Using our skills to care for the vulnerable

Encouraging understanding and awareness

Whilst remembering the fragile nature of human life