Why did James Phipps become immune to smallpox?

James Phipps was the first person to be vaccinated against small pox by Edward Jenner in 1796. The vaccination consisted of live cowpox virus which in humans causes only mild fever, but stimulates the immune system into producing antibodies which are effective against small pox. read more

James Phipps (1788 – 25 April 1853) was the first person given the cowpox vaccine by Edward Jenner. Jenner knew of a local belief that dairy workers who had contracted a relatively mild infection called cowpox were immune to smallpox. read more

James Phipps, the son of a poor landless labourer, was the first person to be vaccinated by Edward Jenner. On 14 May 1796, Jenner cut into the skin of the 8-year-old boy and infected him with matter from a cowpox sore. Over the following days, James developed a fever, but soon became well again. read more