Deadly Choices - 9780465021499

In this timely book, Offit, of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, argues that the movement against having children vaccinated is resulting in epidemics of illnesses that had almost been eradicated in the western world. He notes that may people stopped having their children vaccinated because they believed that the shots might cause autism, brain damage or other permanent disabilities. Offit places the blame for this directly on the media for producing documentaries and news reports that gave false information on the effects of vaccines. He cites a report linking autism to one vaccine, now known to have been fraudulent, and other misinformation about testing and the contents of the vaccines. Offit also makes the point that people who refuse to vaccinate their children for other than religious reasons are those who have never lived through an epidemic such as diphtheria or polio. Ironically, the success of vaccines has caused a backlash. Offit's examples of what happens when children aren't protected from preventable disease should make parents think twice about not getting them vaccinated. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)