Over the course of the 20th century, more than a dozen vaccines were developed - virtually eradicating diseases that were once common threats and significant public health concerns.  Measles had a high rate of complications, with the possibility of seizures, brain damage, and fatal pneumonia.  Mumps was less likely to be fatal, but complications included deafness and meningitis.  Rubella was a great threat to unborn babies - causing severe birth defects when mothers were exposed.  Haemophilus influenzae type b infected the neurological system, disabling or killing its young victims.  With the advent and distribution of vaccinations, such highly contagious diseases as these (along with many others) are now rarely seen.

Vaccinated is the story of the man who developed many of the vaccines for these potentially deadly diseases, including the four mentioned above.  Maurice Hilleman was a microbiologist at Merck, and his goal was to eliminate deadly childhood diseases.  The author, Paul A. Offit M.D. is “the chief of the division of infectious diseases at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania medical school.”  He spent the last few months of Hilleman’s life talking with him about his work, which became the basis for this book - a medical history of vaccinations.

Fifteen of our parent bloggers read Vaccinated and will share their reviews over the next two weeks.  Please check them out!

6/15 - Ebony Mommy, Cheese Party
6/18 - Creature Bug, SeaBird Chronicles
6/19 - Cootie Chronicles, Little Bird Reviews
6/20 - Formula Fed and Flexible Parenting, Karianna
6/21 - Slouching Mom, Mid-Campaign Post on PBN
6/22 - Chaos Theory, Hello Pushkin
6/25 - Gingajoy, Sarah’s Dandelions
6/26 - Midwestern Mommy, Quarter Rest
6/27 - Round-Up Review on PBN