The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child (Updated in 2023) (Sears Parenting Library) Paperback – October 26, 2011

If you’re looking for a book about vaccinations that’s just information and totally unbiased this is what you need. It’s laid out plain and easy to understand. I’m so thankful for this book!

I just love this book because he offers all the information without bias. If felt impossible to do all the research on my own. This book really gives you sooooo much! It helped my husband and I finally make a decision about or baby’s vaccine choices. I’m not pro or anti vaccines. I think everyone should be informed on what they’re putting in their (or their baby’s) body. This did exactly that. I honestly wish I read this sooner!

A good reference on the vaccines - but was written before COVID. . .

I wish we had read this with our older kids. Excellent, unbiased information to help families feel confident about their vaccination choices. I have recommended it to all of my mom friends!

I don't know if anyone else has done this yet, but this is a detailed breakdown of what is in this book. It is more information than I ever expected, in a format that is sectioned down in consistent and easy to read and reference. Personally, this is one of the best investments I made prepping for my brand new role as a mother. I bought it in my second trimester. I poured through it making notes and highlighting as I went. Dr Sears IS pro-vaccine, yet he writes from a neutral stand point giving you facts. But he is not here to tell you to get vaccines, rather to guide you in making the right choices for you! I'm pretty sure those that gave one star are those that have not even read a word of this book, but are rather so adamantly against just the idea of people not vaccinating that they must discredit a wealth of knowledge that benefits ALL parents and children.It starts with the current to date vaccine schedule chart. He then goes over each vaccine in order, each vaccine being their own chapter, and following a consistent format per chapter. The history of the disease. The description, likelihood of getting it, and the statistics including the risk factors involved for your child should they contract it, the short term and potentially long term outcome or damage, and the mortality rate. So basically the risks of not getting the vaccine. Followed by the risks of getting the vaccine. Common immediate reactions, more significant risks which can be different according to each company that makes the vaccine. (These are all based off of case studies and statistics). The different versions that may be made as a single disease vaccine, or as a combination vaccine, which also depending on the maker. Single and Combo are both gone over thoroughly. All known side effects and their likeliness per maker of the vaccine, in past versions and current ones, the ingredients and specific amounts of things like aluminum and formaldehyde. Aluminum being especially important because if your pediatrician is using certain ones that contain higher levels, you would not want to get them at the same time as another with mid to high aluminum levels. Meaning you might want a different brand for one, or if that's not an option for you, wait until the next visit for the other vaccine containing aluminum, thus keeping levels in your child lower and safe. Some contain eggs, which your child may be allergic to. If there is a particular maker with risks that aren't worth taking the chance, he will tell you that he doesn't recommend that certain brand/combo for that vaccine- not to be confused with not getting one all together. At the end of each of those chapters, he weighs in. Recommending whether this is one he personally believes you really shouldn't skip, or whether it's one that is not really necessary in scenarios such as a breastfed child who is not in daycare until a certain age. Whether the vaccine is given primarily as protection for the child, or more as protection for someone exposed to the child, with the child simply being an unaffected carrier. Like being a potential risk around a pregnant mother. If you are uncomfortable with following the recommended schedule of what and when, he has chapters at the end that help you with a delayed or selective schedule, or customizing your own.Does this help you realize how important this book is? And why we as parents should take the responsibility of knowing what is injected in our child and why?

I have read many, many books on this topic, and this is probably the one I would recommend first to anyone that is new to doing this sort of research. Dr. Sears does a wonderful job of discussing both the disease and the vaccine, and everything in between. Don't go in hoping he's going to tell you what to do, because he doesn't (haha), but it is a great resource for understanding the risks and benefits of both sides, in order to make a truly informed decision for you and your family!

The condition of the book wasn’t great but it was still readable and usable. The information is great and really helped me with my decisions!

I feel empowered and a bunch of dooming questions finally have answers. I strongly recommend this book for more information on vaccines.