Fantastic Must Have
A must have book. Easy to read through and reference over and over again. Clearly lays out all of the pros and cons of which vaccine. A very matter of fact book that simply gives you all of the information you need to make the decisions that you, as a parent, feel most comfortable about. We will be referencing this book for years.

Walks fine line between vaccine advocacy and informed consent
It's sufficiently difficult to ask good questions during the rushed doctor visits so it was wonderful to have a book ask (and answer) important questions that hadn't even crossed my mind. In fact, after I had expressed some concern at the 2 month visit, my pediatrician asked for a schedule and well... duh... I thought she'd have a few alternative schedules for me to choose from... NOT. Before opening this book, I had already pulled a schedule together based upon CDC info, some Internet-based research, and our plans for the little one. Well, let's say that there was plenty of new data to add to my decision matrix and plenty of revisions resulted. Some of my conclusions based on the book's data differed from those of Dr. Bob but that is because I have different priorities from those assumed by Dr. Bob (and his assumptions are stated very clearly). Then again, the separation of fact from opinion in this book is what makes it so useful for a parent who wants to make a customized schedule. I've been through all the sections once now and certain sections multiple times (as the cross-referencing is very thorough). Dr. Bob really makes you think things through from multiple perspectives and I'm very happy not only with the changes I made but I'm also much more satisfied with many of the decisions I had made beforehand on much less information.

Good starting place - not the be all end all
Well, having started to get into this subject in some depth I couldn't wait for my copy of the Vaccine Book to arrive. We had chosen this book as it is written by a doctor and it is recent (so presumably using the most recent research articles). After receiving it, I wanted to give it one star based on the information on why to vaccinate and giving vaccines after injury (tetanus and rabies) as I did not find the information to be accurate. (but then again I am being cautious and I am concerned that generalised statements on the safety of vaccines are out of place)

However, I gave it 3 stars as there is important information regarding boosting your child's immunity naturally, and he does go into calculating risks, he does cite recent and relevant studies and he does go into the details on the manufacture of and ingredients used in vaccines. I just choose to differ on the conclusions reached.

A Must Have for Parents (expecting and current)
The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child, by Robert W. Sears, M.D.,m F.A.A.P, is the most comprehensive and understandable vaccine book out there. Okay, I confess, I haven't read them all if any...but I can't see how any book could beat this one!

Dr. Sears walks through EVERY vaccine our children receive in their pediatric life-time, and lists out not only each vaccine maker and label, BUT EVERY INGREDIENT. I'm not joking. This book is truly comprehensive in every sense of the term.

He talks about the vaccine side-effects, the frequency of your child actually getting those side-effects, the likelihood of getting that particular illness if your child isn't vaccinated, the dangers in getting the illness (discusses minor to fatal outcomes (if any)), treatment for those who get the disease, why some parents choose not to get the vaccine. and what to consider when traveling. Yeah, as I said, COMPREHENSIVE! There are five chapters at the end of the book that discuss the following topics: "Combination Vaccines, Vaccines for Travel, and Vaccines for Other Special Situations", "Vaccine Safety Research", "Vaccine Side Effects", "Vaccine Ingredients [which talks about why it's in the vaccine and the risks involved with some ingredients]", and "Myths and Questions about Vaccines". Do I need to say it again? Okay, I will...C-O-M-P-R-E-H-E-N-S-I-V-E!!

Ultimately, Dr. Sears leaves you, the reader, with the choice of whether or not to get a certain vaccine--this is a nice change from regular pediatricians who leave you feeling without a choice; however, he does not leave you high and dry in making that choice. Every chapter that discusses a vaccine ends with a section called, "The Way I See It". I found this section to be VERY HELPFUL. It's nice to have a doctor's opinion, whether or not I agree with it--although, I did find myself agreeing with him in nearly every circumstance (I'm a theologian, not a vaccine specialist or a pediatric doctor...at some point, I have to defer to those who know more...whether I like it or not...).

But here is the truly awesome thing about this book: it doesn't end with just a whopping load-full of information that you are left to decipher and figure out...helplessly. The book ends with the chapter: "What Should You Do Now?" Hey, what? Really? You are going to lend me a hand in figuring out what I should do with my child(ren)? Nuh-uh! In this chapter you find the ever helpful ALTERNATE VACCINE SCHEDULE! Yes, I'm yelling. This alternate schedule is awesome and I'm yelling to express my love for it. I haven't used the schedule yet, but I plan to when Baby Jack is born. I can't wait to, once again, swim upstream in the mainstream of Doctors! Oh, boy...and I proclaim that I really don't like conflict. HA HA HA HA!

He even takes the time to address those parents who delay or decline vaccinations. And, he respects them. Yeah, it's true, he's really a doctor. I know, a foreign concept!

Dr. Sears truly addresses every aspect of Vaccines and Vaccinating/Not Vaccinating/Delaying Vaccinating. No stone is left unturned; and, if by chance he couldn't turn it over, he admits it and tells you to check his website (www.TheVaccineBook.com) for updates. He is humble (he admits he doesn't know everything) and loves what he does (he loves children and respects you as the parent). To top it off, as if this book were not awesome enough, Dr. Sears peppers this book with a lot of humor. Who knew vaccines could be fodder for laughter!

I laughed, I learned, and I am all the more better for it. A truly great read (well written) and a must have for all parents currently undergoing the vaccination down-pour of their child's early life!

I highly recommend this book.

Invaluable Resource
If you are concerned about vaccines - this is the book for you. It is even-handed, thoughtful, and will help you work with your child's pediatrician to come up with a plan that is right for you. Even if you can find a copy of Dr Sears' alternative or selective vaccination schedule online, I highly recommend that you have this book so that you can learn why he has made these alterations to the accepted vaccine schedule. It is harder for a pediatrician to balk at an unconventional idea when they know the parent has "done the research." Well worth the money.