buffer-overrun

In 1736 I lost one of my sons, a fine boy of four years old, by the small-pox, taken in the common way. I long regretted bitterly, and still regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation. This I mention for the sake of parents who omit the operation, on the supposition that they shouldl never forgive themselves if the child die under it; my example showing that the regret may be the same either way, and that, therefore, the safer should be chosen.

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

https://mic.com/articles/109892/benjamin-franklin-s-son-died-of-smallpox-his-notes-on-vaccines-matter-now-more-than-ever

I actually think this is a bad example to use in the current debate.

If you read the linked article, you will see that the inoculation Franklin was talking about was variolation, which was an extremely dangerous method that involved giving actual smallpox to children (by skin, the safest route, but still actual smallpox). The true vaccine wasn’t invented for another 60 years (and the smallpox vaccine, a live attenuated vaccine, is one of the most dangerous vaccines that it is still legal to give  – I know, I got it for work).

It’s really not a great analogy for the incredibly safe and effective vaccines that people are worried about today.