Abstract

The history of veterinary vaccines can be divided into four distinct stages. The first stage was the discovery of variolation against smallpox and its eventual evolution into vaccination. The second stage was pioneered by the discoveries by Louis Pasteur and his colleagues, which paved the way for the early production of several successful vaccines against primarily bacterial diseases. The third stage, epitomised by the canine distemper vaccine development, was a process of advancement in these vaccines and resulted from a growing awareness about viruses and their behaviour. Eventually, the fourth stage is characterised by the experienced and suave use of vaccines, which led to the eradication of two major diseases, Smallpox and Rinderpest, and the near eradication of diseases such as Poliomyelitis.