Offit, Paul A

Recounts how the 1955 polio vaccine crisis, in which a polio vaccine made by Cutter Laboratories in Berkeley, California, inadvertently contained the live, virulent virus, resulted in liability laws that have discouraged companies from developing and producing vaccines, leading to the current critical shortage of vaccines.

"Exploring the most fascinating and significant scientific missteps, the author presents seven cautionary lessons to separate good science from bad."--OCLC.

Presents the argument that religion should not stand in the way of children being vaccinated, since unvaccinated populations and even vaccinated individuals in contact with those populates are at risk of serious and often deadly diseases as a result.

Explains what antibiotics can and cannot do; discusses how a dependence on antibiotics has led to the development of resistant bacteria that are causing more deadly infections; looks at the differences between viral and bacterial infections; and offers suggestions on how to avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics.

Examines the dangers of the anti-vaccine movement, describing how parents who choose not to vaccinate their children against pertussis, measles, mumps, and other diseases are putting their children and the entire population at risk.

Examines the dangers of the anti-vaccine movement, describing how parents who choose not to vaccinate their children against pertussis, measles, mumps, and other diseases are putting their children and the entire population at risk.