If you were born before the 1970s, you might have a small, circular scar on your upper arm. This mark is a lasting reminder of a time when the world faced a deadly disease called smallpox. To combat this illness, children and adults received a vaccine that left a distinct mark. The process involved a quick puncture on the skin, which delivered a small amount of the vaccine. Over the following weeks, the spot would go through changes—swelling, forming a blister, and eventually scabbing over. This was all a normal part of the body building protection.
Once the wound healed, it left a permanent, round scar. This was seen as a badge of protection, proof that a person was immune to the terrifying smallpox virus. For generations, this scar was a common sight, a shared experience among people around the world. Thanks to widespread vaccination efforts, smallpox was eventually eradicated, and the vaccinations stopped. Today, the scar serves as a historical marker, a symbol of a global victory against a devastating disease and a testament to the power of science and collective action.
