The Vaccine Debate

Part of Greenwood's ongoing Health and Medical Issues Today series, this book provides a broad introduction to the anti-vaccination movement that documents how it has gained momentum in recent years; the quantifiable effects of the movement on society, such as a resurgence of childhood diseases like whooping cough and measles; and the controversies surrounding the movement. It describes the long history of resistance to the medical practice of vaccination; identifies the impacts of decreased vaccination rates on important health concepts, such as herd immunity; and addresses the reasons for resistance to vaccination (as well as the mainstream scientific community's rebuttals to such concerns).

Readers will be better equipped to consider such questions as whether or not parents should be allowed to refuse vaccination for their children and whether or not the government can demand mandatory vaccination before entering public school. With its additional features such as primary source documents, a glossary, and a timeline, the work will supply readers with the information they need to understand and think critically about this timely and important topic as well as serve as a gateway to further study.

A part of Greenwood's Health and Medical Issues Today series, The Vaccine Debate provides a straightforward introduction to the interaction between vaccines and the immune system.

The book documents the rise of the anti-vaccination movement, provides reasons for its prominence today, and explains the effects of vaccine refusal on public health. It also addresses concerns about the role of government in regulating vaccine production and administration, along with questions about vaccine safety.

Additionally, a majority of the book examines in detail seven major vaccine controversies and mainstream medical positions on them. These controversies are given individual attention, with questions at the end of each to encourage critical thinking about such topics as the effectiveness of vaccines in protecting public health and whether vaccinations should be mandatory for public school attendance.

Providing accurate, accessible information on vaccines and the controversies that surround them, this book outlines the history of vaccine regulation and interactions between vaccines and the immune system, and thoughtfully considers each vaccine debate.

A part of Greenwood's Health and Medical Issues Today series, The Vaccine Debate provides a straightforward introduction to the interaction between vaccines and the immune system.

The book documents the rise of the anti-vaccination movement, provides reasons for its prominence today, and explains the effects of vaccine refusal on public health. It also addresses concerns about the role of government in regulating vaccine production and administration, along with questions about vaccine safety.

Additionally, a majority of the book examines in detail seven major vaccine controversies and mainstream medical positions on them. These controversies are given individual attention, with questions at the end of each to encourage critical thinking about such topics as the effectiveness of vaccines in protecting public health and whether vaccinations should be mandatory for public school attendance.