The Vaccine Debate

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.