89R16426 TBO-D
By: Morales of Harris H.C.R. No. 94
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, May 8 marks the anniversary of the date in 1980 when
the world was declared free of the smallpox disease, a monumental
achievement in public health; this occasion serves as a fitting
opportunity to highlight the lifesaving importance of immunization
and to encourage Texans to learn more about the visionary health
professionals who have contributed to the development of vaccines;
and
WHEREAS, The earliest known records of immunization date back
to the 15th century, and the practice was revolutionized by English
physician Edward Jenner in 1796, when he successfully inoculated a
child against smallpox using matter from a cowpox sore; later, the
term "vaccine" was coined from the Latin word for cow, vacca; and
WHEREAS, The first laboratory-produced vaccine was created
by Louis Pasteur in 1872; following the outbreak of the Spanish Flu
pandemic in 1918, the development of an influenza vaccine became a
priority for the U.S. military; the first flu shot was approved for
military use in 1945, and civilians were allowed to obtain the
vaccine soon after; another major breakthrough in immunization
research took place during the 1950s, when Jonas Salk developed the
first effective vaccine against polio, a devastating viral disease
that primarily affects young children; by 1960, a live-attenuated
version of the polio vaccine was developed by Albert Sabin; and
WHEREAS, In 1967, the World Health Organization launched the
Intensified Smallpox Eradication Programme, which aimed to
eliminate smallpox in more than 30 countries; the initiative
received unprecedented global support despite the ongoing Cold War,
leading to the eradication of the disease by 1980; over the decades,
immunization has continued to advance through efforts such as the
Essential Programme on Immunization, the Global Polio Eradication
Initiative, and the Meningitis Vaccine Project, as well as through
the dedicated work of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and other
organizations; and
WHEREAS, Over the past five decades, global immunization
efforts have saved an estimated 154 million lives, including those
of more than 100 million infants; immunization programs have served
as the bedrock of primary health services in communities and
countries around the world, offering vaccinations and other vital
services, including nutritional support, maternal tetanus
prevention, and illness screenings; and
WHEREAS, Vaccines are crucial to improving public health and
combatting preventable diseases, and the remarkable work of vaccine
developers, past and present, is indeed deserving of special
recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate May 8 as Vaccination Day; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section
391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect
until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally
passed by the legislature.