We know that History of Vaccines is not the ultimate source of information on vaccines. (It's among the top ones, right?) Below you'll find some recommendations for additional reading on the topic of vaccination.
Books
- Deadly Choices: How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens Us All by Paul Offit, MD.
- Polio: An American Story by David Oshinsky.
- The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic – and How it Changed Science, Cities and the Modern World by Steven Berlin Johnson.
- The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Plague in History by John M. Barry.
- Your Baby's Best Shot: Why Vaccines are Safe and Save Lives by E. Allison Hagood and Stacy Mintzer Herlihy.
- Thinking Person's Guide to Autism, edited by Shannon Des Roches Rosa, Jennifer Byde Myers, Liz Ditz, Emily Willingham, and Carol Greenburg. Though the book and are not strictly about vaccines, the 1998 fraudulent study on MMR and autism has inevitably linked the two.
- The Panic Virus by Seth Mnookin.
Websites
Global and Regional Health Organizations
- World Health Organization (WHO) - History of Vaccination: A comprehensive resource covering the evolution of vaccines from the 15th century to present day, including timelines of major vaccination milestones and global immunization efforts.
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): The EU agency responsible for disease prevention and control, offering scientific advice on vaccine-preventable diseases, surveillance data, and resources on addressing vaccine hesitancy.
- Public Health Agency of Canada - Immunization: Canada's national resource for immunization information, including vaccine safety, schedules, and the history of immunization programs in Canada.
Educational and Historical Resources
- Immunize.org: A non-profit organization providing educational materials about vaccines for healthcare professionals and the public, including historical information and current recommendations.
- Science Museum London - Immunisation Collection: Historical exhibits and digital resources documenting the development of vaccines and immunization practices through the centuries.
Academic and Research Institutions
- Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: An educational resource providing information about vaccines, including their history, development, and safety, created by one of the leading pediatric research institutions.
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS): Australia's leading research organization on immunization, providing evidence-based information on vaccines and immunization practices.
Civil Society and Non-profit Organizations
- VaccinateYourFamily.org: A non-profit organization dedicated to providing science-based information about vaccines and preventing vaccine-preventable diseases.
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine - Vaccines: Independent, evidence-based reports and resources on vaccine science, safety, and policy from America's most prestigious scientific body.
State-Level Non-Profit Organizations Advocating for Immunizations
- Arizona Families for Vaccines
- Website:
- Description: A grassroots network of Arizonans that advocates for public policy to increase vaccine access and confidence while combating misinformation-based legislation. Founded in 2023, they monitored and successfully defeated 13 anti-vaccine bills in their first year. The organization works closely with The Arizona Partnership for Immunization (TAPI) and brings together parents, grandparents, disease survivors, healthcare providers, teachers, and school nurses.
- Arizona Partnership for Immunization (TAPI)
- Website:
- Description: A public-private partnership committed to promoting health through immunization education, advocacy, and collaboration. TAPI brings together diverse stakeholders to reduce barriers and improve immunization rates across Arizona, offering free education materials and resources for both healthcare professionals and families.
- Immunize Arkansas
- Website:
- Description: A state-level non-profit organization providing credible vaccine information and resources to help consumers identify reliable vaccination information on the internet.
- Colorado Families for Vaccines
- Website:
- Description: Formerly known as Colorado Immunization Advocates, this volunteer-led grassroots network rebranded in 2023. They advocate for evidence-based public health policy and work with partners to combat vaccine misinformation, educate legislators, and support legislation that champions public health and the greater good.
- Iowa Immunizes
- Website:
- Description: Iowa Immunizes is a coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to improving vaccination rates across Iowa. Their mission focuses on educating the public, advocating for science-based vaccine policies, and forming statewide partnerships to ensure that all Iowans have access to life-saving vaccines.
- Louisiana Families for Vaccines
- Website:
- Description: Founded in 2022, this organization has monitored 71 vaccine-related bills and defeated 61 anti-vaccine bills. They've hosted multiple Days of Advocacy, bringing diverse groups of partner organizations and dozens of advocates to the State House. Their network includes parents, grandparents, disease survivors, medical providers, scientists, teachers, and school nurses.
- Maine Families for Vaccines
- Website:
- Description: Formed in 2019 after the state experienced outbreaks of whooping cough and chicken pox in schools. They successfully advocated for PL 154, removing non-medical exemptions to school-required vaccination requirements, and in 2020 defended this law against a referendum by anti-vaccine activists, winning with 73% of the vote. They received the Maine Public Health Association's President's Award for their work.
- Massachusetts Families for Vaccines
- Website:
- Description: This volunteer-led grassroots network advocates for public health and evidence-based policy in a state known for its strong emphasis on healthcare and education. They're currently supporting bills (H.604 and S.1391) that would eliminate non-medical exemptions for school-required vaccines, working closely with organizations like March of Dimes.
- Montana Families for Vaccines
- Website:
- Description: Established in 2023, this organization quickly became a key resource for accurate public health information. They've partnered with the Montana AAP on campaigns to improve vaccine confidence, particularly in Flathead County which has some of the state's lowest immunization rates. Key partners include the Montana Medical Association and Montana Academy of Family Physicians.
- Oregon Families for Vaccines
- Website:
- Description: Founded in 2023 to engage Oregon's pro-vaccine majority in a state with the second-highest exemption rate for school vaccine requirements. During their inaugural Day of Advocacy, they provided 90 legislators with district-specific information about immunization rates. They've established a Vaccine Hotline connecting lawmakers to physicians who can provide accurate health information.
- South Dakota Families for Vaccines
- Website:
- Description: Founded in 2023, this organization works to improve vaccination rates in a state where they fall below the national average. They work closely with Immunize South Dakota and held their first Vaccine Advocacy Day at the State Capitol in 2024. Their director received the Excellence in Immunization Advocacy Award at the National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships.
- Tennessee Families for Vaccines
- Website:
- Description: Founded in 2022, this organization has emerged as Tennessee's leading pro-vaccine advocacy group. In 2024, they monitored 13 vaccine-related bills, successfully defeating 8 and getting 2 more amended. They've built credibility through strong relationships and consistent communication, including providing district-specific immunization rate data to policymakers.
This page was updated in April 2025. .