(WHO, 1972)
"In retrospect, achieving the eradication of smallpox might look inevitable. In fact, though, the chain of events included so many opportunities for failure that success was not a given--and we knew it. We had no guarantee of success and we were humbled so often that humility became a daily emotion. We didn't let that stop us."
(Foege, 2011)
Taking A Stand
William Foege took a stand against smallpox by creating ring vaccination, a system that contained and controlled outbreaks much faster than mass vaccination. He not only caused a turning point in the Smallpox Eradication Program, but his idea helped in the containment of other diseases, such as Ebola. By helping to eradicate smallpox, Dr. Foege not only took a stand, but he also took the first step to eradicating disease as we know it today.
