On Immunity: A Conversation About Vaccines is a non-fiction book written by Eula Biss. The book explores the cultural, historical, and philosophical aspects of vaccination and immunity. The author argues that the fear of vaccines is not based on scientific evidence but rather on cultural and societal factors. She also discusses the importance of herd immunity and how it relates to individual choice.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: The Argument for Vaccination
In the first chapter, Biss introduces the topic of vaccination and the importance of herd immunity. She explains how vaccines work and how they have been successful in eradicating diseases such as smallpox and polio. Biss also discusses the idea of herd immunity and how it protects individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.
Chapter 2: The Argument Against Vaccination
In the second chapter, Biss explores the arguments against vaccination. She discusses the fear of autism and how it has been disproven by scientific research. Biss also discusses the idea of personal choice and how it relates to herd immunity. She argues that while personal choice is important, it should not come at the expense of public health.
Chapter 3: The History of Vaccination
In the third chapter, Biss explores the history of vaccination and how it has evolved over time. She discusses the development of the smallpox vaccine and how it led to the eradication of the disease. Biss also discusses the development of the polio vaccine and how it has been successful in reducing the incidence of the disease.
Chapter 4: The Cultural Significance of Vaccination
In the fourth chapter, Biss explores the cultural significance of vaccination. She discusses the fear of the body and how it relates to the fear of vaccines. Biss also discusses the idea of the body as a site of individuality and how it relates to the idea of personal choice.
Chapter 5: The Ethics of Vaccination
In the fifth chapter, Biss explores the ethics of vaccination. She discusses the idea of the common good and how it relates to herd immunity. Biss also discusses the idea of individual responsibility and how it relates to personal choice.
Chapter 6: The Future of Vaccination
In the sixth chapter, Biss looks towards the future of vaccination. She discusses the development of new vaccines and how they will help to prevent diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s. Biss also discusses the importance of public education and how it can help to increase vaccination rates.
Conclusion
On Immunity: A Conversation About Vaccines is a thought-provoking book that explores the cultural, historical, and philosophical aspects of vaccination and immunity. Biss argues that the fear of vaccines is not based on scientific evidence but rather on cultural and societal factors. She also discusses the importance of herd immunity and how it relates to individual choice. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the topic of vaccination.
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