In 1901 a deadly smallpox epidemic tore through the Northeast, prompting the Boston and Cambridge boards of health to order the vaccination of all residents. But some refused to get the shot, claiming the vaccine order violated their personal liberties under the Constitution. Henning Jacobson, took his anti-vaccine crusade all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. A landmark 1905 ruling legitimized the government's authority to "reasonably" infringe upon personal freedoms during a public health crisis by issuing a fine to those who refused vaccination.

Concepts

smallpox

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1905 us supreme court ruling, a&e television networks, llc, can the government make vaccines mandatory, smallpox epidemic, government's authority to "reasonably" infringe upon personal freedoms during a public health crisis, u.s. supreme court

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Classroom Considerations

• Knovation Readability Score: 5 (1 low difficulty, 5 high difficulty)