Russian Federation marks victory over smallpox

Fifty five years ago, in 1958, the Soviet Union proposed a unique health campaign to eradicate smallpox. Doctors, scientists and governments around the world joined forces under the auspices of WHO to make the dream of a smallpox-free world a reality.

Today, a new book has been launched in Moscow celebrating the remarkable dedication that led to the complete elimination of humanity’s most devastating disease. "How it was: the global smallpox eradication programme in the memories of its participants" was launched on 23 May 2013 in the Russian State Library, Moscow in the presence of prominent Russian scientists, WHO and United Nations staff in Moscow and of course the veterans of this historic programme.

The most important medical advance of the 20th Century

Victory over smallpox, which was achieved in 1980, is considered to be the most important medical advance of the twentieth century. In addition to saving some 60 million lives, once smallpox was eliminated the huge resources previously spent on the prevention and control of the infection could be released to address other health issues.

The beautifully illustrated book tells the story and presents documentation of the events that led up to this important advance and also presents material on the research that improved the smallpox vaccine and the methods of its administration.

Created by a team of authors who themselves worked directly in the programme, the book also covers work overseas with colleagues at the epicentre of the smallpox epidemics in Asia and Africa.