The vaccination was first performed by?

Appeared in: BHU NO - 2015

Explanation

Edward Jenner is renowned for pioneering the concept of vaccination in 1796.
He used material from cowpox lesions (Variolae vaccinae) to successfully immunize a person against the deadly smallpox virus.
This act is considered the first scientifically documented vaccination and established the foundation of immunology.
His work led to the eventual eradication of smallpox, one of the greatest achievements in public health history.

Option A: Jonas Salk developed the polio vaccine much later, in the mid-20th century.
Option C: Louis Pasteur, while a giant in microbiology, developed vaccines for rabies and anthrax later in the 19th century. He built upon Jenner's work but did not perform the first vaccination.
Option D: Alexander Fleming's major contribution was the discovery of penicillin, the first antibiotic, not a vaccine.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain History of Vaccination as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the history of vaccination helps nurses appreciate the scientific foundation of modern immunization practices and effectively educate patients about vaccine safety and importance.
Nurses play a crucial role in administering vaccines, managing the cold chain, and monitoring for adverse effects, continuing the public health legacy started by Jenner.
What if the question asked about the first attenuated vaccine? The answer would be Louis Pasteur, who developed attenuated vaccines for diseases like rabies, a different principle than Jenner's use of a naturally occurring, related virus.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question, which is about the 'first' performance of vaccination.
This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of medical history.
Scan the options, which are all famous scientists.
Associate each scientist with their primary discovery: Jenner with smallpox vaccine, Salk with polio vaccine, Pasteur with rabies vaccine/pasteurization, and Fleming with penicillin.
Based on this association, recall or deduce that Edward Jenner's work on smallpox predates the others and is recognized as the first vaccination.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q_xYEVQuYw1Wqqn_ZFCWS_

E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 3 p. 148-150

E6 Microbiology Essentials Sastry 4e Part 1 p. 26-28

E6 Microbiology Applied AnjuDhir 3e Part 2 p. 125-127

Practise the full BHU NO - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.