Edward Jenner was the 18th century scientist who invented the first real vaccine – for smallpox.
A student in Indonesia is being injected with a vaccine. PICTURE: Ed Us/Unsplash
It really was a remarkably big deal. Smallpox killed 10 to 20 per cent of the population at the time. Many people have stated that because of his discoveries, Edward Jenner has saved more lives than anyone else in history.
Jenner was a Christian. Not long before his death, he wrote: “I am not surprised that men are not grateful to me; but I wonder that they are not grateful to God for the good which He has made me the instrument of conveying to my fellow creatures.”
Jenner didn’t seek glory for his discovery but saw the miracle of vaccines as a gift from God; something we should all be very grateful for, even more so today.
Paul Clark’s musings can be heard on radio across Australia and at atthetop.org.au.
