The development and growing use of smallpox vaccine in the early 1800s triggered the establishment of vaccination mandates, especially for children. Then, as the incidence of smallpox declined over time, some governments loosened requirements, while other mandates remained in place. At the same time, a variety of govermental agencies and regulations emerged to oversee the production and testing of vaccines.
The judicial branch of U.S. federal goverment has had a role as well in vaccination. A variety of court decisions have considered the validity of vaccination mandates and have attempted to address the conflict between individual rights and protection of the public’s health.
Below are a variety of events associated with the establishment of vaccination mandates and the role of government agencies in monitoring vaccine production and use.
Last update 17 January 2018