[The development of vaccination as demonstrated on the development of the Bavarian State Vaccination Institute in the 19th and 20th centuries].

In 1801 the smallpox vaccination has been introduced in Bavaria by order of the Duke Franz Joseph. He appointed a Medical Superintendent, responsible for smallpox vaccinations for the whole country. This was the hour of birth for the Institute, too. The Institute developed quickly to a point of crystallization in the field of prophylactic medicine, research on infectious diseases and social pediatrics. By this Institute the "Retrovaccine" against smallpox was introduced 1856. 1967 -- 1976 an attenuated life smallpox-vaccine (MVA) has been developed. Some years ago the activities of the Institute had been focussed into research of complications after vaccinations and up to date, on the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis. A historical review demonstrates the development of the Institute in the past up to modern activities in research, teaching students and postgraduate education and in medical practice.