Dr. Kristen Feemster, Director of Research for the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, recently published a new book, Vaccines: What Everyone Needs to Know (Oxford University Press, 2017). Dr. Feemster’s book offers information about vaccine science, history, policy and law among other topics. Information is presented in a question-and-answer format making it a great quick reference guide for providers. Additionally, because of Dr. Feemster’s experience as a researcher, clinician and public health medical director, the book offers information related to a breadth of vaccine-related topics from a first-hand perspective.

Providers getting questions from parents or patients may be particularly interested in the chapters related to vaccine development (chapter 3), vaccine safety (chapter 5) and vaccine hesitancy (chapter 8). Those new to medicine or just beginning to offer vaccines are likely to find the chapters related to vaccine financing and distribution (chapter 4) and laws and standard practices for vaccine administration (chapter 7) helpful. The book also offers information about the future of vaccines (chapter 9), including vaccines in development and information about therapeutic vaccines and elimination or eradication of diseases by vaccination. A useful table in the appendix provides information related to disease history, recommended vaccine schedule, adverse events and vaccine effectiveness.

Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.

You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.