Smallpox
Smallpox is a highly contagious and deadly disease caused by the variola virus. It was one of the most feared diseases in history, and one of the first diseases to be eradicated by vaccination. Smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980, after a worldwide vaccination campaign.
Polio
Polio is a viral infection that can lead to paralysis or death. It was a major cause of disability and death in many countries until the introduction of the polio vaccine in the 1950s. As a result of widespread vaccination campaigns, polio was declared eradicated in the United States in 1979 and globally in 1994.
Measles
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to serious complications, particularly in young children. The measles vaccine was introduced in 1963 and has been extremely effective in reducing the incidence of measles. Worldwide, the number of measles cases has decreased by 84% since 2000, with the World Health Organization declaring the disease eliminated in the Americas in 2016.
Mumps
Mumps is a viral infection that can cause fever, headache, and swollen salivary glands. It was once a common childhood illness in the United States, but the introduction of the mumps vaccine in 1967 has drastically reduced the incidence of the disease.
Rubella
Rubella, also known as German measles, is a viral infection that can cause a rash, fever, and joint pain. The rubella vaccine was introduced in 1969 and has been highly effective in reducing the incidence of the disease. The World Health Organization declared rubella eliminated in the Americas in 2015.