A book written to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic… Picked it up because is looked interesting, but I was not expecting much. But I found it a very informative and useful read.
Starts with an overview of the history of vaccination. For small pox, references “variolation” and the cow pox story that everyone describes. But adds stories of how the science of the immune system and vaccine development has evolved through the 20th (and 21st) century.
Gives an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic timeline and an outline of the reactions to it, with emphasis on the science that was done
Gives a short description of the 6 or 7 different techniques for developing a vaccine. Most have been used in the past for “classic” vaccine development, which are cited as examples. In the COVID-19 arena, references the results obtained by the first-to-succeed developments. I found the descriptions of the techniques understandable. Plus, the pros/cons for different techniques is useful to know.
Has a chapter on “vaccine hesitancy” (i.e., the anti-vexers), but is not dismissive of their concerns. Yes, there are risks associated with vaccines, but the benefits — to society and to the individual — greatly out-weigh the negatives.
The book did not touch on the partisan politics (especially evident in the US) on COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccination progress. Glad it did not.
About a third of the book is references, appendices, and index. For each chapter has “general reading” and “specific reading” references. Has an Appendix listing the major vaccine candidates and an extensive index.