Jacobson v. Massachusetts case brief

Jacobson v. Massachusetts case brief summary
197 U.S. 11 (1905)

CASE SYNOPSIS

Defendant appealed from a decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Court finding mandatory smallpox vaccination constitutional.

CASE FACTS

• The Defendant objected to compulsory smallpox vaccination.
• He challenged the vaccination program on the basis that it was an unreasonable invasion of his liberty. 

DISCUSSION

• The Massachusetts Supreme Court held that the vaccination program was constitutional. 
• The Court affirmed, ruling that the vaccination program had a real and substantial relation to the protection of the public health and safety.

CONCLUSION
The Court affirmed, ruling that the vaccination program had a real and substantial relation to the protection of the public health and safety.

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