How did Jenner's work impact the field of Epidemiology?
Jenner's work had a profound impact on the field of epidemiology. By demonstrating that exposure to a less virulent virus (cowpox) could protect against a more deadly virus (smallpox), he provided early evidence for the principles of immunoprophylaxis. This breakthrough led to the development of vaccines for other infectious diseases and paved the way for the eventual eradication of smallpox in 1980.
