“Compulsory vaccination”, in Marseille, an old poster of a government campaign of 1905 found
Like a nod to the news. In Marseille, a collector got his hands on an old poster dating from 1905. At the time, the government had made vaccination compulsory to fight against smallpox.
“Mandatory vaccinations and revaccinations” can we read in capital letters at the head of the article. This poster signed by the mayor of Albanne in Savoy dates from May 28, 1905. It must have flourished on the walls of the whole country at that time. to fight against smallpox. It imposes smallpox vaccination on all children over three months of age and all adults. Spotted by France 3, this poster has just been bought by a Marseille bibliophile and collector, Paul Recours.
This poster, “a coin for debate”
“When I received it, I was surprised by the quality of this poster, its excellent state of preservation, it is still 120 years old. It is extremely rare” tells this 76-year-old former psychiatrist, interviewed by France Inter. A poster that resonates with the news, between the introduction of the vaccine pass in a few days and the rebound of the Covid-19 epidemic.
Paul Recours does not want to take sides, but sees this poster as “a transmission”, “a debatable play. I will show how the government reacted to an epidemic in 1902”. The former doctor sees links between this poster from yesterday and what is happening today: “There were already similar situations back then where decisions had to be made which were not obvious or easy to make.”
Considering the tone of the poster, there should already be some very recalcitrant people, a bit like now. It gives food for thought, it shows that one should not have passionate reactions.
The law promises a fine to all unvaccinated people, “a report will be drawn up”. At the foot of the poster, we can read: “Will be punished with a fine of 100 francs to 500 francs in the event of a repeat offense, and up to 1000 francs, all those who have an obstacle to the fulfillment of the duties of mayors.”
According to from the archives of the National Library of France : “The first vaccine, that used against smallpox since the beginning of the 19th century, did not become compulsory for everyone until 1902.”
Several booster doses
“We do not know how to encourage residents to take advantage of the opportunity offered to them to transform the beneficial effect of the vaccine” advise the government. This poster also reminds us that there was already talk of several injections, to better protect against the virus, “during the 11th and 21st years”. And again, as an echo to today’s debate regarding the effectiveness of vaccination, it is written: “The vaccination practiced at 21 does not constitute a guarantee of guaranteed preservation against smallpox for the rest of one’s life.”
“I tell myself that it’s extraordinary, 120 years apart, that we find ourselves faced with the same situations and the same reactions” conclusion Paul Recours.