Great InformationNovember 16, 2007 5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I have purchased many books to help me navigate immunizations for my son. This book provides fair non-reactionary information to assist me in making an informed decision on each immunization. I am keeping this book in my diaper bag and bringing it with me to each immunization appt. I love all of the Sears Parenting Books and am glad the immunization book is finally available.
The Vaccine BookNovember 11, 2007 7 out of 8 found this review helpful
I was searching for an alternative vaccination schedule for my child and one that excluded unnecessary vaccines. This book gave me that plus very detailed information about each vaccine and a balanced approach to the subject. I thought the information regarding aluminum and other ingredients was priceless. I searched for a long time to find a book that explained this frightening process in a very reasonable and sound manner. I would recommend this book to every parent.
Propaganda!!!November 9, 2007 35 out of 81 found this review helpful
Dr. Sears comes off knowledgable because he is. As a physician myself I feel he should know better. There are multiple references in the book where he says we're not going to talk about the dangers of it because it's been discussed. I have to admit the book is well written, but you can see and read between the lines that his agenda is not to present a fair review of vaccinations, but to be a spokesman for the drug industry. That's his choice, but don't hide behind the appearance of "fair and impartial". Dr. L.
Gives parents the info to make their own decisionsNovember 7, 2007 131 out of 137 found this review helpful
As soon as I heard Dr. Bob Sears would be releasing a book to help parents make vaccine decisions, I pre-ordered it and waited two months for it to be published and arrive on my doorstep.
The Vaccine Book was well worth the wait. Finally, I was able to read detailed information about each vaccine choice available for my children. Dr. Sears thoroughly investigates all the options and lays them on the table for parents to decide. I worried that this approach might be a little wishy washy and leave me with more questions than answers, but he manages to get everything out there.
I've read plenty of pro-vax and no-vax literature. Most is either staunchly against any immunizations or suggests that parents should ask no questions and just do what the nice doctor says. There are even a few things written somewhere in between, in which the authors present their recommendations. It's hard to find something that presents all the facts so parents can make educated decisions. This book did it for me.
The Vaccine Book is very readable. Dr. Sears writes in language a layperson like me can easily understand. His conversational style makes it feel like he's sitting and talking to me. He's even a little funny at times. I especially enjoy his use of Star Trek wisdom (p. 220).
He goes through each of the 12 standard vaccine choices and answers the same questions for each vaccine-preventable disease: Is it common? Is it serious? Is it treatable? When is the vaccine given? How is the vaccine made? What ingredients are in the final solution? (Including "Are any of these ingredients controversial?") What are the side effects? Should you give your baby this vaccine? (Includes reasons to get it, reasons some people choose not to, travel considerations, and options to consider when getting it.) He ends each chapter with "The way I see it" summarizing key factors, yet he does not send a message that parents must do it one way or another. He covers special vaccines for travel and combination vaccines that reduce the number of shots given. There's a chapter for parents who decide to delay or decline vaccinations and one called "What Should I Do Now?" He offers Dr. Bob's Alternative Vaccine Schedule near the end of the book. It ends with 20 pages of additional resources in which he summarizes journal articles.
Reading The Vaccine Book left me confident I could make the right vaccination decisions for each of my children.
And a big plus for me: He recognizes breastfeeding as a way to reduce disease risk. On his list of eight ways to boost your child's immune system, "breastfeed" is No. 1.
The web site www.thevaccinebook.com promises online updates to the book as vaccines and data change. There's also a forum, blog and other resources.
It is a terrific bookNovember 6, 2007 3 out of 5 found this review helpful
I really like this book, it is very well written and presents facts and statistics. It makes me feel comfortable to make a decision as a parent. Also, Dr. Sears answers a lot of questions in his discussion forum which I really appreciate. All in all, great book!
