Herlihy and Hagood team up with their respective expertise in research/writing (Herlihy) and psychology (Hagood) to dispel the fear some parents have about vaccines and their ingredients and their possible negative effects on children. Unfortunately, the book lacks a careful critical presentation; instead, favoring mudslinging at a few already discredited researchers in the vaccine-safety field, admonitions against parents who question vaccine safety, and quoting slightly out-of-context information and imply that a baby can tolerate as much formaldehyde (a vaccine ingredient) as an adult, and a sometimes cavalier tone (they cite "high fevers or fussiness or even a few dirty looks" as negative side effects of vaccination). All this is based on generalizations rather than hard numbers. An outstanding section on historical epidemiology helps readers gain perspective on the dangers children faced from childhood diseases like polio before the widespread use of vaccination. However, despite many strong points, this book is not for parents who came to the table truly worried that the schedule of vaccines required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is dangerous, ineffective, or even optimal. The authors do present some very interesting counterpoints to arguments offered by the movement against mandatory vaccination, but overall, parents who want to stay informed may want more out of their resources, and would do well to obtain books or articles written by scientists, like David Offitt--a leader in the field of vaccine safety. (Sept.)
