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Vaccination in the 19th century in Italy and the role of the catholic church in public health: a historical overview.
Martini, Mariano; Brigo, Francesco; Rasori, Giovanni.
  • Martini M; Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
  • Brigo F; Department of Neurology, Hospital of Merano (SABES-ASDAA), Merano, Italy.
  • Rasori G; Indipendent Scholar, Parma, Italy.
J Prev Med Hyg ; 63(1): E104-E108, 2022 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1955106
ABSTRACT
Using the case of the vaccine against smallpox as an example, this article explores how the attitude and the politics of the Vatican State towards vaccination changed between the 18th and 19th century. Despite some notable exceptions, the Catholic Church became progressively involved in supporting vaccination in Italy, exerting its temporal and spiritual authority to develop healthcare policies and to convince a population that still considered the vaccine as potentially harmful. The brief historical overview on vaccine and vaccination shows that during the XIX century the Catholic church and in particular, the political decision of the Pope, engaged temporal and spiritual power, high authority and persuasive influence to encourage the population, more than anyone the hesitant people, to get vaccine against smallpox. Although with the due differences determined by the path of time and by the scientific, educational and social advances of modern-day, this view from the past can provide us, with actual COVID pandemic, a reason of deep thinking and also how to face the present COVID-19 pandemic and to prepare for forcoming future. Actually, it shows us how the terrible smallpox epidemic was handled and finally overcome, thanks to vaccination.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Smallpox / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Vaccines Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: J Prev Med Hyg Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 2421-4248

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Smallpox / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Vaccines Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: J Prev Med Hyg Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 2421-4248