The Vaccine Book. Making the Right Decision for Your Child Sears Parenting Library

Customer Reviews

SOOOOO informative

2008-07-11
Despite having my two older son's vaccinated per the AAP's schedule, when my newest bundle joined the flock, with all the "vaccination speculation" around I wanted to educate myself a bit more with the most unbiased and uninflamatory information I could find. I think this book is the most fair and balanced look at vaccines that I have found. Each vaccine has its own chapter where Dr. Bob talks about the risks of the disease, how common the disease is, the ingredients that make up each vaccine (and how the ingredients vary according to manufacturer), the risk of side effects with each vaccine, the risks of contracting the disease during travel... I was pleasantly suprised to see that he gave credence to concerns over some ingredients (mainly aluminum, but also human and animal tissue), while still supporting the use of (most)vaccines. He provides a couple different alternative dosing schedules (which include waiting 6 months to a year to start or spacing them out giving just two shots at a time). In some ways I wish I hadn't read the book (I had no idea what kind of creepy things were in some of those shots), but I am glad I am more educated on the matter and can make a better informed decision over what is best for my child. (And, if you are curious, this book gave me more confidence in my decision to start vaccinations at 6 months and use a slower dosing schedule.) I just was really suprised at how informative and non-judgemental this book seemed. People get so passionate about one way or the other it's hard to find a single place that can respect both sides of the argument and I feel Dr. Bob did a good job of doing just that.

Finally - the facts presented so you can make an educated choice rather than an emotional one!

2008-07-11
This book is wonderful. Regardless of which side of the debate you are on or if you are somewhere in the middle, this book gives clear facts about each of the 12 childhood vaccines. These facts are presented in simple language so you don't need to be a doctor to understand the risks and rewards of vaccinating your children. Another wonderful book from the Sears series and one that truly speaks to the concerns of parents who must struggle with the questions of whether to vaccinate their children or not.

About time!

2008-07-10
As a biologist, and a new mom in 2007, I had really struggled trying to get clear and dependable (and scientifically based) answers to my questions about vaccines. I wish this book was available when I was first researching the issue! The only thing I could find were either anti-vaccine books, which were slightly researched opinions at best, or just the strait AAP recommendations - no questions asked. This book finally bridged the gap. Dr. Sears really researched the issue, and this book basically summarizes all the existing research on all the questions I had. It is honest when there isn't a clear answer, and he provides well thought out alternative vaccination schedules. I've read it about 3x now, and feel I can finally make well informed choices for my family.

So Well Written & Concise

2008-07-07
A fantastic book that takes all the research and facts and makes educated recommendations. If you did all of this on your own, it would take weeks to distill into anything useful. The straightforward vaccine schedule recommendations are so helpful for busy parents!

Insightful Book

2008-07-07
Being an information junkie, this book is like the Holy Grail of vaccine data. I love the way Dr. Sears gives both sides of the never-ending immunization debate. He illustrates the pros and cons of each vaccination, and remains relatively unbiased. He provides the reader with statistics, ingredients, methods of production, and personal experience with the vaccines.

I feel the greatest aspect of this book is the alternative vaccination schedule he provides and the reasoning behind it. It makes sense. When I first spoke to my (beloved) pediatrician about the alternative vaccination schedule laid out by Dr. Sears in the book, I expected at least some resistance. Instead I was met with a whole-hearted enthusiasm that I had read The Vaccine Book and none of the other publications available. My son's doctor stated that he feels Dr. Sears has the most valid, well-rounded argument about the possible drawbacks of vaccines but tempers it with an argument for the necessity of the immunizations.

I now have the confidence to make an informed decision for the welfare of my child. My only disappointment is that this book was not published two years prior when my daughter went through the majority of her vaccinations. Kudos to Dr. Sears!

a MUST HAVE for every parent!

2008-07-21
FINALLY some unbiased information on vaccination!!!!
This is a MUST HAVE for every parent in order to make an educated decision on the vaccination of your children. If you are contemplating no-vaccination, delayed vaccination schedule, selective vaccination schedule or the regular full vaccination schedule, you must read this book to make your decision in good conscience with all the facts. This is a very controversial subject as many people do not want the responsibility of choice and would prefer to blindly the doctor's advise. The problem is... the doctor typically blindly follows the FDA's advise and the FDA has not fully diligently tested everything that gets injected in our little ones!

Good luck to you and your family!

A MUST

2008-07-21
All parents should read this book before they allow their babies to be vaccinated. It's your duty as a parent to be informed about what is being injected into your babies body. Ask questions and be involved.

This is the most unbiased, honest and clear book I have read yet!

2008-07-19
So if you're like me with an autistic child, no doubt you have heard the hype. Vaccines. Are they the culprit? Some parents swear yes, some swear no. I have heard both sides and they both have very valid arguments. Both biased to their own cause. Then came my baby daughter. Do I vaccinate her or not? Diseases are coming back due to parents not vaccinating. But what about all the press? Is there a safer way to vaccinate? There is! Dr. Sears alternative schedule is clear, easy to understand and my daughter's pediatrician not only had no problem with it, but wanted to get the book for herself. It's a great reference guide too.

Worth every penny - an essential parenting read!

2008-07-18
I'd just like to echo what other reviewers have said. This book is the real deal. I originally got a book on immunization called "Vaccines: What Ever Parent Should Know" because Dr. Sears book was sold out and checked out of every library branch in the greater Boston area. What a joke that other book was - it presented none of the concerns that Dr. Sears shares. And after a bit of research, I found that the author of that book (Dr. Paul Offit) is a vaccine inventor and on the board of advisors for Merck. You'd think in the spirit of fair disclosure it would have said that on his author's profile. But I digest... :)

Dr. Sears' book is comprehensive and very balanced. He presents parents with the pros and cons for each drug as well as his own personal recommendations. His Alternative and Selective vacination schedules are worth the price of the book alone. Just be prepared - we requested to follow his selective vaccination schedule and were told that we could stay with our pediatric group practice if we did that. Its too bad - we really liked our pediatrician in every other respect. Just starting with a new practice that is more flexible and gives us a greater degree of choice in how we care for our child.

Couldn't recommend this book more highly. I'm buying a second copy for the pediatrician we are leaving. Hopefully, she'll read it and understand our decision a bit better.

Thorough review

2008-07-12
Thorough without the bias of many authors that are writing on the subject. Helpful to parents on a difficult subject.