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    A century-old vaccine vial sheds light on one of medicine’s enduring mysteries

    Medical legend has it that Edward Jenner — the father of vaccination — used cowpox virus to protect against the dreaded smallpox. That may not be true.
    by Helen Branswell Oct 11, 2017 3 minutes
    An illustration of Dr. Edward Jenner making history by inoculating an 8-year-old boy with cowpox virus, the first operation of its kind.

    A 115-year-old vaccine vial has provided an important clue in the search for an answer to one of medicine’s enduring mysteries: What went into the world’s first vaccine?

    Medical legend has it that Edward Jenner — the father of vaccination — used cowpox virus to protect against the dreaded smallpox.

    But a new report, published Wednesday, shows a virus closely related to the horsepox virus was used in a 1902 smallpox vaccine, providing fresh ammunition to those who believe the history books have it wrong.

    “People ask

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