Vaccinated: The history and science of immunisation

Description

In the wake of Covid-19, this book is a great first introduction as to what vaccines are, how scientists first developed them and information about the Covid-19 vaccination, and other serious illnesses including malaria. The book includes the science behind germs and the immune system, the first inoculations performed in China using smallpox scabs, details of the early adopters of inoculation such as Lady Montagu in Europe and Cotton Mather in the USA, leading to Edward Jenner and the creation of the first vaccine. As well as the history of vaccines, the book looks at the modern science and issues around vaccines, covering topics such as how you vaccinate the world, herd immunity, vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaxxers. The text is illustrated with archive and modern photography.

Sarah Ridley has an enduring interest in history, the natural world and many other topics which has made her work as an editor and writer of children's information books endlessly fascinating. Some of her books have been shortlisted or longlisted for information book awards, including Dear Jelly Family Letters from the First World War and Suffragettes and the Fight for the Vote. Sarah lives in Colchester with her husband and her student daughter's guinea pigs.