“If vaccination can be conscripted into acts of war, it can still be instrumental in works of love.”
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On Immunity: An Inoculation | 
“If vaccination can be conscripted into acts of war, it can still be instrumental in works of love.”
pickFirst time I read this about 5 years ago, liked it but didn't love it. 5 years later I absolutely loved sitting in her brain and following her thoughts and musings. Couldn't ask for a more timely book.
pickEula Biss approaches the subject of vaccination from the standpoint of a new mother concerned for the safety of her child. She comes down firmly on the side of vaccinations while gracefully and non-judgmentally discussing the reasons for vaccine opposition, their historical roots, and how they are invalid conclusions. I hope anyone concerned about vaccination reads this with an open mind—it‘s accessible and non-confrontational.
The belief that public health measures are not intended for people like us is widely held by many people like me.
If we imagine the action of a vaccine not just in terms of how it affects a single body, but also in terms of how it affects the collective body of a community, it is fair to think of vaccination as a banking of immunity. Contributions to this bank are donations to those who cannot or will not be protected by their own immunity. This is the principle of herd immunity...
pickThis was an audiobook and it took me a while to finish because I only listen to a book when I am doing housework or sewing or similar, but the amount of time it took me to finish it does not reflect upon its quality. I found this engrossing as a rebuttal to the anti-vaccination movement. This author has really done her research and sets fire to a lot of those strawman arguments.
Next audiobook. I read some of her essays in grad school and have heard great stuff about this one.
A few great #indiepresses represented here: Algonquin Books, Melville House, Graywolf Press, and Catapult. #anditsaugust
so-soI finished my first book of #Booktubeathon. I technically started this during #24in48, but I'm still counting it! I listened to this on audio. The writing was strong and the framing of all of the history and science around her own motherhood experience was amazing. But I think this was just not a good fit for binge listening during readathons. I wish I'd taken my time with it.
#24in48 wrap up part two: books I started/continued (including On Immunity on audio)
Finished The Underground Railroad and started On Immunity (both on audio) while making this. #24in48
so-soWhy are vaccines important? What is the history behind them? You get both answers mixed in with a lot of personal antidotes. I was hoping for a bit more, but I never thought of putting the book down.
so-soBiss provides a thoughtful reminder that debates about vaccinations, seemingly scientific in nature, often reveal our own fears: of power and capitalism, of toxicity, of the Other. As parents are challenged with protecting their children from harms seen and unseen, from the world itself, the author makes the point that immunity is a shared space, requiring everyone. Immunity is "a garden that must be tended together."
For those interested in this debate... A great deal in Kindle
pickI'm late to the party on this one, but glad I finally made it! 😊Biss looks at the history and philosophy of vaccinations and our current reactions to them. She was prompted to write the book after the birth of her son. Perfect for readers with an interest in medicine, specifically, and science, generally. 🙌
pickI love how this book not only looks at the data supporting herd immunity, but Biss also examines the historical context and how myth and storytelling affect what we accept as truth. I will recommend this to all my students interested in pursuing work in the medical field. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is simply superb. No need for debates or arguments about childhood vaccinations (to give or not to give) with anyone, just--everyone go home and read this book!! So smart, so balanced, so so good.
