U.S. Military and Vaccine History
Smallpox in the Revolution
The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Smallpox in the Revolution Inoculation in the Continental Army U.S. Yellow Fever Commission Smallpox in the French Army Smallpox in the Austrian Army Smallpox in the Austrian Army
Military research programs throughout history have made significant contributions to medicine and, in particular, to vaccine development. These efforts have been driven primarily by the effects of infectious disease on military conflicts: smallpox devastated the Continental Army in 1776, as well as troops on both sides of the United States Civil War; typhoid fever was common among soldiers in the Spanish American War. More person-days were lost among U.S. soldiers in malaria-endemic regions to malaria than to bullets throughout the entire 20th century; indeed, malaria continues to sap military strength into the current century.
To respond to these diseases and the many others that threaten both soldiers and the public, military forces have devoted significant time and effort toward public health methods and medical research.
https://www.historyofvaccines.org/index.php/content/articles/us-military-and-vaccine-history