THE IMPRINT OF VACCINES: DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL IMPACT DURING FRENCH INDOCHINA

Abstract

In the era of invasion and colonial expansion, Western colonial countries considered medicine as a tool to help the West penetrate and dominate the “world” outside of Europe. The French colonialists even thought they could find a “way” to “open the hearts and minds” of the indigenous people under the guidance of doctors. Therefore, the French colonialists developed a medical system, especially producing vaccines to treat diseases for Indochinese people. However, the question is what motivated the French colonialists to promote vaccine production and vaccination, as well as what was the impact of vaccination on Indochinese society? Therefore, this article analyzes the French colonial government's perception of the issue of medical development in Indochina, particularly the development of vaccination, and its multidimensional impacts on indigenous society. Based on historical research methods and logical methods, the author analyzed, compared, and evaluated documents exploited at the National Archives Center I, documents, and reports of the colonial government in the Gallica digital library, and other secondary research. This research contributes to clarifying the history of medical development in Indochina in particular and the French rule policy towards the colony in general.