Categories: EducationGeekMom

Star Wars Droids Support Immunization

Public domain image from the National Library of Medicine.

While browsing through public service posters from decades past, I ran across this gem and wanted to share it with all of you!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released this poster in 1977 after the success of the first Star Wars film. To give the time period context, the DTP (diptheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine had been around since 1948, but it had been only six years since the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine was licensed in the US. It had been only five years since smallpox vaccinations ended, thanks to near-eradication of the disease. In 1976, the year prior, the fewest cases of whooping cough to date had been reported, thanks to the vaccine. Around the time of this poster, the pneumococcal vaccine was licensed, and a year later, measles became the next target for elimination.

To see another icon used on behalf of health, see this poster in which Spock speaks for the Great American Smokeout.

Related Post
Liked it? Take a second to support GeekMom and GeekDad on Patreon!

This post was last modified on November 26, 2017 11:04 pm

Share
Published by

Recent Posts

The New Rubik’s x Tetris Cube Is a Fun Mashup of ’80s Toys

If you like some extra squares in your cubes, check out the new Rubik's x…

December 22, 2025

Skye Sweetnam, Sumo Cyco, and the Power of Community

Like many others, I jumped directly into my Apple Music Replay this year filled with…

December 17, 2025

GeekDad/GeekMom Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Stocking Stuffers

It's time to stuff the stockings that were hung with care with our must-have stocking…

December 15, 2025

GeekDad/GeekMom Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Clothing and Everyday Essentials

It's time to get styling and stocking up on everyday necessities that we think you…

December 10, 2025

GeekDad/GeekMom Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Gadgets

Every geek loves a new gadget. Here’s a selection from the GeekDad and GeekMom writers,…

December 9, 2025

Get Started Resin Printing With the HALOT-X1

If you enjoy 3D printing with filament and are interested in something new, resin printing…

December 1, 2025