Horn Book (Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

The five chapters of Haelle's in-depth look at vaccines cover how they work, their evolution, the science behind creating them, controversies surrounding them, and a glimpse into their future. She emphasizes the efficacy and importance of immunization and refutes anti-vaccination arguments by exploring recent outbreaks that proper immunization could control. Small photos and hard-to-read sidebars are included. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Vaccines are often a focus of controversy as well as the subject of misleading information, making this authoritative resource all the more valuable.Science journalist Haelle (The Informed Parent, 2016) provides in-depth coverage of the history of vaccines, how they work, and why they are needed. She also explores the complicated issue of how they have become controversial, providing fascinating background information on the flawed research that has led some to link them to various adverse outcomes. Along with a 1982 television broadcast that erroneously reported that the DPT vaccine caused seizures and brain damage, the book also describes British doctor Andrew Wakefield's criminally misleading study that implicated the MMR vaccine in the apparent rise in autism. The relatively challenging text also incorporates information on common thinking patterns—cognitive biases—that lead people to readily embrace unscientific reasoning. Because this effort is so well-researched, articulate, and thoughtful in its presentation, and because it provides unbiased information on a critical topic of current concern, it represents an essential purchase for collections serving young adults.A must-have resource with fine backmatter that enhances its presentation. (source notes, glossary, bibliography, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 12-adult)

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Vaccines are often a focus of controversy as well as the subject of misleading information, making this authoritative resource all the more valuable.Science journalist Haelle (The Informed Parent, 2016) provides in-depth coverage of the history of vaccines, how they work, and why they are needed. She also explores the complicated issue of how they have become controversial, providing fascinating background information on the flawed research that has led some to link them to various adverse outcomes. Along with a 1982 television broadcast that erroneously reported that the DPT vaccine caused seizures and brain damage, the book also describes British doctor Andrew Wakefield's criminally misleading study that implicated the MMR vaccine in the apparent rise in autism. The relatively challenging text also incorporates information on common thinking patterns—cognitive biases—that lead people to readily embrace unscientific reasoning. Because this effort is so well-researched, articulate, and thoughtful in its presentation, and because it provides unbiased information on a critical topic of current concern, it represents an essential purchase for collections serving young adults.A must-have resource with fine backmatter that enhances its presentation. (source notes, glossary, bibliography, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 12-adult)

ALA Booklist (Thu Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

This is an organized, documented, and accessible account of the history of vaccinations. Chapters address the importance of vaccinations and their effects on world populations, safety and side effects, what vaccine serums consist of and how they work, and future vaccines that are under development and may be available someday. It offers balanced coverage of the fear vaccinations evoke and the reasoning behind it, arguments against them, and events that prompted those arguments. Easily digestible diagrams, charts, graphs, personal stories, and interesting (even stupefying) statistics help make the going easy. It's clear that author Haelle has teaching experience, as evidenced by the student-friendly approach, vocabulary defined within the text etuses (developing babies)" d straightforward glossary definitions. The source notes, selected bibliography, and annotated further reading suggestions assist in making this an excellent introduction to a complicated and timely topic. This will be extremely helpful for secondary STEM and current issues research.