Wolf- “Yes, and that’s because the disease was eradicated. It’s only because it was eradicated that we stopped taking the vaccine. If the disease was still out there, we’d still be vaccinating for it.”
You forgot to mention why it was eradicated.
Vaccination was the main reason for the eradication.
From the CDC:
“Global Smallpox Eradication Program
The Intensified Eradication Program began in 1967 with a promise of renewed efforts. This time, laboratories in many countries where smallpox occurred regularly (endemic countries) were able to produce more, higher quality freeze-dried vaccine. A number of other factors also played an important role in the success of the intensified efforts, including the development of the bifurcated needle, establishment of a surveillance system to detect and investigate cases, and mass vaccination campaigns, to name a few.”