A substantial historical review of vaccination and its predecessors, inoculation and variolation, is provided by MedPage with valuable links in the article. Thanks to Bernie Steutz for suggesting it.

The article ends with an interesting overview:

But above all, it is notable that 300 years ago, the strongest vaccine advocate was a religious fanatic, and America’s first great scientist began his career as a vaccine skeptic.

Milton Packer, MD, MedPage.

Vaccination and Slavery are top-tier topics that incorporate Franklin these days, and it’s interesting to note that in both of them Franklin changed his mind over the course of his life.