The Jacobson Case: Liberty vs. Public Health

Dive into the landmark case of Jacobson v. Massachusetts, where the balance between individual liberty and public health was fiercely debated. In the early 1900s, as smallpox surged in Cambridge, the Board of Health mandated vaccinations for all adults. Aaron Jacobson challenged this law, arguing it infringed on personal freedoms. Join us as we explore Justice Harlan's ruling, which underscored the state's police power to protect public health, illustrating the ongoing tension between personal rights and community safety during health crises.