A Shot in the Arm!: Big Ideas that Changed the World #3

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A Shot in the Arm!, the third installment in the Big Ideas that Changed the World series, explores the history of vaccinations and the fight against infectious diseases. It begins with smallpox, one of humanity's greatest challenges, and concludes with the COVID-19 pandemic. The narrative is presented by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, who played a pivotal role in popularizing inoculation in 18th-century England. The book details the evolution of vaccines and examines diseases such as measles, polio, anthrax, rabies, cholera, and influenza. It delves into the science of the immune system, the discovery of bacteria, and the contributions of key figures like Louis Pasteur, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, and Edward Jenner, recognized as the "father of immunology." Additionally, it addresses historical public and political reactions to vaccination, confronting the anti-vaccination movement and dispelling myths linking vaccines to autism. This work serves as both a reminder of the progress achieved and the ongoing need to save lives. The back matter includes an author's note, timeline, bibliography, notes, and index. The Big Ideas That Changed the World series combines humor, drama, and art to narrate the significant ideas that have transformed society.