Written by Gary S. Marshall, MD, The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians, commonly known as “The Purple Book,” offers a comprehensive and practical guide to vaccination for healthcare professionals. This book, now in the 13th edition, serves as a resource for vaccine providers, educators and advocates, as it goes beyond descriptions of individual vaccines to explain the science and rationale behind recommendations while also addressing the many practical issues that arise when delivering vaccines in clinical practice.
Updated for 2026, this edition arrives at a time when the vaccine enterprise in the United States is facing unprecedented challenges. To that end, it offers a reliable, science-based resource for foundational information on vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases. It also covers vaccinology, vaccine infrastructure, standards and regulations, general recommendations, vaccination in special circumstances, routine schedules, and strategies for addressing vaccine concerns.
Practicing clinicians will also appreciate the practical guidance on logistics of vaccination, including special populations, storage and handling, billing and more.
"The Purple Book" is available in both print and electronic formats. The complete 13th edition can be read online with unrestricted access, sponsored by the PIDS foundation. A searchable PDF can be requested for offline use. Print editions can be ordered from the publisher for a fee.
Contributed by: Lori Handy, MD, MSCE
Written by Gary S. Marshall, MD, The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians, commonly known as “The Purple Book,” offers a comprehensive and practical guide to vaccination for healthcare professionals. This book, now in the 13th edition, serves as a resource for vaccine providers, educators and advocates, as it goes beyond descriptions of individual vaccines to explain the science and rationale behind recommendations while also addressing the many practical issues that arise when delivering vaccines in clinical practice.
Updated for 2026, this edition arrives at a time when the vaccine enterprise in the United States is facing unprecedented challenges. To that end, it offers a reliable, science-based resource for foundational information on vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases. It also covers vaccinology, vaccine infrastructure, standards and regulations, general recommendations, vaccination in special circumstances, routine schedules, and strategies for addressing vaccine concerns.
Practicing clinicians will also appreciate the practical guidance on logistics of vaccination, including special populations, storage and handling, billing and more.
"The Purple Book" is available in both print and electronic formats. The complete 13th edition can be read online with unrestricted access, sponsored by the PIDS foundation. A searchable PDF can be requested for offline use. Print editions can be ordered from the publisher for a fee.
Contributed by: Lori Handy, MD, MSCE