A New History of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases

Book excerpt: A New History of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases: Immunization - Chance and Necessity covers the developments of vaccines and how they have obliterated many fatal diseases and infections over time. The book treads a neutral path but does not avoid discussion. As uncertainty in the outcome of vaccination can only be determined by experiment, the path to vaccine development has been scientifically complex because the immune system and the manner in which humans respond to infection is variable and complex. Finally, the book describes the risks and benefits of vaccines in a visibly objective manner. - 2023 PROSE Awards - Winner: Finalist: History of Science, Medicine, and Technology: Association of American Publishers - Gives an objective description of the science behind vaccine discovery - Presents awareness and discussions on controversies, both past and present - Provides historical context to the scientific aspects of immunization, including what worked, what didn't, and why - Written by a scientist with no 'vested interest' in vaccine development - Clears up many misunderstandings for today's vaccination policies