Vaccination: Examining the Facts (Contemporary Debates)

Each title in the Contemporary Debates series examines the veracity of controversial claims or beliefs surrounding a major political/cultural issue in the United States. They do so to give readers a clear and unbiased understanding of current issues by informing them about falsehoods, half-truths, and misconceptions―and confirming the factual validity of other assertions―that have gained traction in America’s political and cultural discourse. This latest addition to the series is the first reference work on vaccines written through the lens of the COVID-19 pandemic. It asks―and answers―questions raised by the pandemic, such as how vaccines work, what causes side effects, and how COVID-19 vaccines were developed so quickly. It also addresses broader questions, such as how to protect vaccine supply chains and how to prevent public health issues from being politicized. In addition to correcting or clarifying well-known misinformation and misunderstandings about vaccines (such as false claims that they have been linked to autism), this book also provides up-to-date research on ways to counter disinformation and decrease vaccine hesitancy.