Vaxxers: A Pioneering Moment in Scientific History

Product Information

Finally, the average vaccine takes ten years to be created, the world record before Covid-19 was 4 for the mumps vaccine. These two superstars and their team of superheroes did it in a year. Berman, an assistant professor of basic science at an osteopathic medical school, explores the history of anti-vaccine movements and how best to counter them. Such movements, he finds, share beliefs and features: wariness of government control, distrust of the medical establishment and its products, false claims about vaccines (often made by people with economic interests), and unfounded fears of harm, spread by misinformation and social media. Those most vulnerable to such claims are often parents trying to decide what is best for their children’s health. Rather than learning from reliable sources why childhood vaccines are necessary to protect both individuals and the population as a whole from infections, they may receive unreliable information from others in their community who oppose vaccination . . . Berman’s advice on how to talk with people who are uncertain about vaccinating their children is enlightening and practical.” If you do nothing, you will be auto-enrolled in our premium digital monthly subscription plan and retain complete access for 65 € per month.

In retrospect, this was a mistake. It would also be a mistake in the future, not least because, as Gilbert and Green make clear, Covid-19 is not the last pandemic the world is likely to face and, even with better funding, vaccines will always be playing catch-up with a virus. The endgame is polarisation, confusion and distrust via the tactic of what the historians Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway referred to in their 2010 book as “merchandising doubt”. Social media companies are increasingly being held accountable for risking public health and taking measures to halt the spread of disinformation on their platforms. Beyond monitoring and silencing these groups, our strongest weapon is to inoculate the general public against the infodemic by empowering them to spot and report misinformation. In the case of Covid, conspiracy theorists and anti-vaxxers have spread infectious rumours such as the biologically implausible message that the virus is spread by mobile phone towers. Others spun subplots feature Bill Gates implanting digital microchips during vaccinations or intentionally causing the “plandemic”. Others peddle bogus “natural” cures, from which they make a personal profit.What an enthralling tale of toil, tenacity and triumph this is. The authors' intelligence, idealism and sheer, bloody-minded grit shine through. The world needs all the Sarah Gilberts and Catherine Greens it can get. Just brilliant.'- Rachel Clarke An absolute must-read. Especially if like this reader you had the AstraZeneca vaccine. How often do you get to read a book about the vaccine that has recently been injected into your arm? This book should have easily won best science book of the year and it should also be given to every person when they get their vaccine, every anti-vaxxer, and just everyone really. A gripping, inspirational account of the race to create a functioning vaccine to combat the spread of Covid-19, Vaxxers is the story of two scientists who have accomplished something truly remarkable at a pace that few people ever thought possible. Thisaccessible and informative book provides not only a rational analysis of the many sources of anti-vaccine thinking, but also practical ideas that can be used to overcome objections against vaccines.”

The book covers the development story of the Oxford vaccine, the previous vaccine science that their work was built upon (including its failings, and how these have been learnt from), as well as very effectively dispelling misinformation. It also lays out how the technology and processes that this devastating global pandemic has led to could help save many lives in future for a whole myriad of other diseases (such as HIV), some of which don’t even exist yet. I think there can be a lot of comfort found in that something positive can come from such a dark and deeply sad time where so many lives have tragically been lost. As a grateful recipient of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, I take my hat off in thanks to these remarkable women. This is the story of a race - not against other vaccines or other scientists, but against a deadly and devastating virus. Farrar doesn’t suggest a solution for this problem, though he does list the new kinds of international organisation we desperately need to face the next pandemic, and is helping set up a global “radar” to detect outbreaks. He doesn’t, however, suggest ways to discourage countries from being secretive about disease, which disastrously delayed our response to Covid. What did China know, and when, he asks.This is their story of fighting a pandemic as ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. Sarah and Cath share the heart-stopping moments in the eye of the storm; they separate fact from fiction; they explain how they made a highly effective vaccine in record time with the eyes of the world watching; and they give us hope for the future. An enthralling tale of toil, tenacity and triumph ... The world needs all the Sarah Gilberts and Catherine Greens it can get. Just brilliant. The more that you do learn, the more amazing you realise their work is, and how it can’t be simplified in the way your aunt on social media who loves sharing misleading sound bites thinks it can.) This book is a profound success. I have read few that have given me such an immediate, eye-level view of working science - of brilliant, committed, heroic science. - Sunday Times

Anti-vaccine propaganda could be one of the toughest issues. Sarah Gilbert, Oxford’s redoubtable vaccine inventor, and Catherine Green, head of the university’s lesser known Clinical Biomanufacturing Facility, presumably called their book Vaxxers in riposte to the anti-vaxxers who stymie efforts to end this and other diseases. Those who invent wild inaccuracies about vaccines are a problem because they make people uncertain about life-saving jabs

Misinformation can spread faster than the virus, making it difficult to identify an actionable path to counter it. The content is often highly engaging, with simple messages that feed on our deepest fears and doubts. Although most people are unlikely to believe that the world is controlled by a reptilian elite, we do respond to information that is sprinkled with truth. Yes, the risk of catching the common cold can be reduced by a healthy diet, so why not Covid too, some might think. Replication Deficient: The virus cannot replicate once injected. So however many viral particles (in this case 50 billion are in the vaccine) that's how many you will be getting.