In 1921, Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin conducted the first human trials of the BCG tuberculosis vaccine, administering it to an infant in Paris. This marked a significant milestone in the fight against tuberculosis, a disease that had claimed countless lives. The BCG vaccine has since become a crucial tool in global public health efforts to control and prevent tuberculosis infections.

The first human trials of the BCG tuberculosis vaccine in 1921 began to shift the narrative surrounding tuberculosis in poetry. Poets like W.H. Auden and Stephen Spender moved away from tragic themes, exploring modern psychological landscapes and post-war experiences.