Herding Immunity

This timely exploration of vaccine history and public health tackles one of today's most pressing medical and social issues, tracing the development of immunization from its earliest forms to cutting-edge mRNA technology. Stacy Mintzer Herlihy presents a comprehensive narrative that doesn't shy away from the complex reality that vaccine opposition has existed as long as vaccines themselves, providing crucial context for understanding modern resistance movements. The book skillfully connects historical patterns with contemporary debates, making sense of how we arrived at our current polarized landscape around vaccination and public health policy.

What distinguishes this work is its balanced approach—neither dismissive of legitimate concerns nor hesitant about the overwhelming scientific consensus supporting vaccination's benefits. Herlihy makes a compelling case for viewing vaccination as both a personal health decision and a collective social responsibility, ultimately arguing that equitable access to immunization represents one of our most powerful tools for building healthier communities. Readers seeking to understand the full story behind headlines about vaccine mandates, herd immunity, and public health crises will find this an essential guide to navigating our complicated relationship with disease prevention.