Vaccinated

From Cowpox to mRNA, the Remarkable Story of Vaccines

By: Paul A. Offit

Narrated by: Tim Dixon

Updated with a New Foreword

""Medical writing at its finest.""—David Oshinsky, author of Polio and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for History

Respected physician Paul Offit tells a fascinating story of modern medicine and pays tribute to one of the greatest lifesaving breakthroughs—vaccinations—and the medical hero responsible for developing nine of the big fourteen vaccines which have saved billions of lives worldwide.

Maurice Hilleman’s mother died a day after he was born and his twin sister was stillborn. Believing that he had escaped an appointment with death, he made it his life’s work to see that others could do the same. The fruits of his labors were nine vaccines that practically every child receives, everyday miracles of modern medicine that have eradicated some of the most common—and devastating—diseases, including mumps and rubella.

Offit, a vaccine researcher himself who co-invented the rotavirus vaccine, befriended Hilleman and, during the great man’s final months, interviewed him extensively about his life and career. Those conversations are the heart of Vaccinated. In telling Hilleman’s story, Offit takes us around the globe and across time, from the days of Louis Pasteur, to today, when a childhood vaccine can protect women from cervical cancer and stop a deadly pandemic like Covid-19. Yet these preventative treatments have come under increasing attack from both the left and right, and the anti-vaxxer movement that began with false reports over autism is growing at an alarming rate, threatening society’s well-being, and especially those whose conditions prevent them from being vaccinated.

Offit makes an eloquent and compelling case for Hilleman’s importance, arguing that his name should be as well-known as Jonas Salk. Vaccinated reminds us of the value of vaccines and the power of science to save lives and protect our well-being.

Another Informative and Interesting Paul Offit Insight

Book was a pleasure to listen to, learning about vaccines. I think it is helpful to understand how these came to be developed and the work that it takes to save numerous lives.

He mentions how the population is helped with discrete numbers, which I appreciate. For those interested in the benefits of vaccines, this is a solid insight. For those opposing vaccines, I feel this book would challenge you to look from another stance.

Well told and very fluid.

Interesting and informative

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. It tells the story of the history of vaccines, concentrated mostly around the life and work of Maurice Hilleman. My only complaint is that there’s very little info about recent advancements and mRNA technology. Hilleman died in 2005 and the story basically ends there.

Detailed, but comprehensible.

I haven't known of Maurice Hilleman until this book. that is a real pity because he is one of the great men in history in the field of medicine and, obviously, vaccines. he has personally saved millions of lives. we know about Jonas Salk, but not Hilleman. And that is a shame.

Must read for pediatric professionals and public health professional

Excellent history. In a style inspired by scientific research, but not as bureaucratic or technical. A great read and listen.