In first federal ruling on vaccine mandates, judge sides with Houston hospital, dismissing claims fr

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19. George Washington

Without a policy of inoculation, there probably wouldn't have been a United States:

"In early 1777, [George] Washington finally ordered the army inoculated against smallpox. Citing the loss in Canada and the recruitment difficulties, the procedures were to be done under the utmost secrecy. While recovering, troops were to be isolated and their clothes cleaned before rejoining the main army. States were urged to inoculate troops before sending them to join the main army.

The policy proved successful; few troops died as a result of the procedure and it brought smallpox under control in the Continental Army. Washington would order another round of inoculations while camped at Valley Forge a year later. The smallpox epidemic at the beginning of the American Revolution was an early test for the future first president."

--Joseph Dragovich, Lessons from History (4/21/21)