Smallpox during the Nguyen Dynasty and the access to smallpox vaccine in the early 19th century

Abstract

Smallpox is one of the deadliest diseases known to humans. In Vietnam, during the Nguyen Dynasty, smallpox was an endemic disease not only causing epidemics in some localities but also influencing the political activities of the Nguyen Dynasty. Since some members of the Nguyen royal family such as Crown Prince Canh and Emperor Tu Duc got infected, the prevention of smallpox was paid much attention by the Dynasty. In 1796, the smallpox vaccine was successfully created by Dr. Edward Jenner, and then was introduced to Macau by 1805. In 1820, the Nguyen Dynasty sent a delegation led by Jean Marie Despiau to Macau to acquire the smallpox vaccine and injection techniques. By analyzing the history of epidemics and historical documents such as records of Đại Nam thực lục (known as Veritable Records of the Great South) and relevant research works, this article examines the situation of smallpox in Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty and their effort to access the smallpox vaccine in the early nineteenth century.