One of humanity’s greatest triumphs is the eradication of smallpox. It happened because public health heroes conquered social stigma, local politics, and much more with an unwavering determination to achieve what many scientists thought was impossible.
The docuseries “Eradicating Smallpox” explores this remarkable triumph and uncovers striking parallels and contrasts to recent history in the shadows of the covid-19 pandemic.
In the early 1970s, smallpox was still stalking parts of South Asia. India had launched its eradication program more than a decade before, but public health workers couldn’t keep up with the virus. Enter… the bifurcated needle.
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