The history of vaccination began in 1796 when **Edward Jenner** developed the first smallpox vaccine, using cowpox to create immunity. Jenner’s groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern immunology. In the late 19th century, **Louis Pasteur** advanced the field by creating vaccines for rabies and anthrax. Throughout the 20th century, vaccines were developed for diseases like polio, measles, and tetanus, dramatically reducing global mortality rates. The World Health Organization's global vaccination efforts led to the eradication of smallpox in 1980. Vaccination remains a critical public health tool, with ongoing research focused on combating emerging diseases like COVID-19.