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Vaccinations: A Thoughtful Parent's Guide: How to Make Safe, Sensible Decisions about the Risks, Benefits, and Alternatives Paperback – August 15, 2001
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• Fairly examines the pros and cons of this highly charged issue.
Deciding whether or when to vaccinate a child is one of the most important--and most difficult--health-care decisions a parent will ever make. The recent increase in the number of vaccinations recommended and the concurrent controversies about whether vaccinations are safe or even effective have left many parents confused and concerned.
Midwife, herbalist, and mother of four, Aviva Jill Romm sifts through the spate of current research on vaccine safety and efficacy and offers a sensible, balanced discussion of the pros and cons of each routine childhood vaccination. She presents the full spectrum of options available to parents: full vaccination on a standardized or individualized schedule, selective vaccination, or no vaccinations at all. Negotiating daycare and school requirements, dealing with other parents, and traveling with an unvaccinated child are covered in detail. The book also suggests ways to strengthen children's immune systems and maintain optimal health and offers herbal and homeopathic remedies for childhood ailments. Emphasizing that no single approach is appropriate for every child, the author guides parents as they make the choices that are right for their child.
- Print length288 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHealing Arts Press
- Publication dateAugust 15, 2001
- Dimensions6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
- ISBN-109780892819317
- ISBN-13978-0892819317
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
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This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.Organic contentProduct contains at least 95% organic material.As certified by
USDA Organic
USDA Organic is protected by law, inspected by experts, traced from farm to store, and shaped by public input. USDA develops and enforces the organic standards, which require products to be produced using farming practices that maintain and improve soil and water quality, minimize the use of synthetic materials, conserve biodiversity, and avoid genetic engineering, among other factors. Crops can be certified organic if they’re grown without prohibited substances such as most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides for three years prior to harvest. Livestock are raised on pasture and treated humanely without growth hormones or antibiotics. Organic products do not contain GMOs or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Products that contain a minimum of 95 percent organic ingredients and use the USDA Organic seal are part of Climate Pledge Friendly.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Aviva Romm has written a book of aid and comfort for agonized parents who must make intelligent life decisions for their kids while lacking reliable information about how vaccines act." ― Richard Moskowitz, M.D.
"This must-read book is a valuable resource for all parents." ― Mary Bove, N.D., author of The Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants
"Aviva Jill Romm brings a high level of intelligence and insight to the debate on public policies regarding vaccination. Level-headed and thoroughly researched, yet eminently readable, her book leaves no stones unturned and refuses to shy away from challenging the status quo. It should be read by every parent who is considering vaccination for their child; and I daresay that it should also be mandatory reading for every health professional in the position of recommending (or discouraging) the use of vaccines." ― Robert Rountree, M.D., coauthor of Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child
"Aviva Romm has written a well researched book that will educate and empower parents." ― Lawrence B. Palevsky, M.D., Holistic and Integrative Pediatrician
"Now especially, as the anthrax scare has some folks advocating compulsory vaccinations for all, Romm's wise and well-written book is a breath of fresh air." ― MS, Napra ReView, January/February 2002
"Romm takes a holistic approach to disease prevention yet provides balanced information on all aspects of the vaccination controversy. Overall, the book uses a commonsense approach that allows the reader to weigh the available options." ― Living Without, Summer 2002
“This must-read book is a valuable resource for all parents.” ― Mary Bove, N.D., author of The Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants
From the Back Cover
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : 0892819316
- Publisher : Healing Arts Press; Original ed. edition (August 15, 2001)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 288 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9780892819317
- ISBN-13 : 978-0892819317
- Item Weight : 1.1 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #50,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #12 in Epidemiology (Books)
- #28 in Vaccinations
- #71 in Immune Systems (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Referred to as “the face of natural medicine in the 21st century by Prevention Magazine” and named one of the 100 Women to Watch in Wellness by Mind Body Green, Aviva Romm, MD has bridged the best of traditional medicine with good science for over three decades. A midwife, herbalist, and Yale-trained MD, Board Certified in Family Medicine with Obstetrics, as well as a graduate of Dr. Weil's Integrative Medicine Residency (University of Arizona), Dr. Romm's focus is on the impact of stress on health, willpower, food cravings, weight, chronic disease, and hormone imbalance in women, and the prevention of chronic disease in children’s health, with an emphasis on reducing unnecessary antibiotic use. She is also an avid environmental health advocate, researching and publishing on the impact of toxins on fertility, pregnancy, women’s hormones, and chronic illness in women and children.
Dr. Romm is one of the nation’s leaders in botanical medicine and is the author of 7 books on natural medicine, including the textbook Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health (Elsevier) and her latest book The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution (Harper One, January 2017). She is the author of the integrative medicine curriculum for the Yale Internal Medicine and Pediatric Residencies, and is on numerous scientific advisory and editorial boards, including Prevention Magazine. She lives and practices medicine in western Massachusetts and New York City and is a nationally sought speaker, author, and consultant.
More ways to stay connected with Aviva:
www.avivaromm.com
https://www.instagram.com/avivaromm/
www.facebook.com/AvivaRommMD
twitter.com/AvivaRomm
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book provides good, well-researched information about vaccinations and natural remedies. They appreciate that it provides an unbiased overview and includes practical home remedies for many illnesses. The information is presented in a straightforward and unbiased manner, making it easy to follow and make notes. However, some customers feel the information is too old and irrelevant to be useful.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book provides good information on vaccinations. It presents summaries of relevant studies and analyzes difficulties in interpreting them. The book provides lots of information for prevention, early symptoms, natural remedies, and overall immune system. They appreciate the honest interrogation of vaccine history and adverse effects. The book details all illnesses that we vaccinate for and then describes them.
"...that the information was presented in a straight forward and fairly unbiased way that is easy to read!..." Read more
"...As well as some alternatives. Very informative and helped me make decisions around vaccines unafraid and with confidence." Read more
"...can't or won't know anytime soon - and so this book is still valuable as a resource...." Read more
"...This book serves as an outstanding reference on vaccination-related facts, a balanced decision guide for parents, and a handy cookbook for home..." Read more
Customers find the book provides useful information about health benefits. It includes natural remedies and alternative treatments for many illnesses, as well as homeopathic alternatives. Readers appreciate the coverage of vaccine risks and disease risks. The book also covers practical home remedies and preventable diseases.
"...Also has some great ideas and alternative ways to support your children's immune systems...." Read more
"...It covers the potential risks of each vaccine as well as the risks for the illness itself. As well as some alternatives...." Read more
"...present with each "vaccine-preventable disease," and standard treatments for each disease...." Read more
"...the diseases they are supposed to prevent as well as homeopathic alternatives...." Read more
Customers find the book impartial and non-judgmental.
"...towards not vaccinating, but it's actually quite good and is not biased either way...." Read more
"...unlike so many in this genre, it isn't emotional, sensational, or judgmental. Instead it is thoughtful and well researched...." Read more
"We think this book is amazingly put together and do not find it biased either way. We refer it to our expecting friends. A must have.." Read more
"Non biased approach..." Read more
Customers find the book easy to follow and note. They appreciate the straightforward information presented in an unbiased way.
"...linked to a pharmaceutical company and that the information was presented in a straight forward and fairly unbiased way that is easy to read!..." Read more
"...the information was a little overwhelming in the beginning, it was easy to follow and make notes for each vaccine...." Read more
"Simple and to the point. A good starting point for parents who want to do their own research!" Read more
Customers find the information in the book outdated. They say it's over 15 years old and not relevant.
"Really good stuff. Just not up-to-date." Read more
"...but I wish there was an updated edition as the information is over 15 years old." Read more
"Too old to be relevant... better sources exist" Read more
Reviews with images
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2011I have read many different books on the vaccine issue, and have read many websites about vaccines. Learning about vaccines is a hard undertaking and it takes sifting through lots of information that is often created by the very creators of the vaccines themselves. This book is the best of anything else that I read on this subject because it takes each vaccine and discusses it's pros and cons and it takes each disease and talks about it's pros and cons so that you as the parent can weigh each vaccine's risks/benefits vs. each disease and it's risks/benefits. It also gives an accurate history of vaccines and also how they are created, etc. This is not the be all and end all of information but it is an awesome resource and I go back to it again and again. I suggest it to all who ask me for my resources that led me to decide not to vaccinate our children. I also very much appreciated that this book was not in any way linked to a pharmaceutical company and that the information was presented in a straight forward and fairly unbiased way that is easy to read! Also has some great ideas and alternative ways to support your children's immune systems. Even if you decide to vaccinate it is always a great idea to support their immune systems whenever you can!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2023This book covers the history of vaccinations as well as goes in depth on a lot of common vaccines found in the schedule. It covers the potential risks of each vaccine as well as the risks for the illness itself. As well as some alternatives. Very informative and helped me make decisions around vaccines unafraid and with confidence.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2014In addition to doing extensive research online, this is the third book I have read on this subject, and this is the best of the three. The author has done her homework, and gives you objective information (most of the time - sometimes the conclusion points so STRONGLY at "Why in the world would you decide to do otherwise?" that the author makes a subjective statement) to inform you on the pros and cons for vaccinations. As this book is already a few years old, you might think that it would not be helpful. However, after reading the book you come to the realization that those supporting mass population vaccinations really have NEVER figured out everything, and so it should not be a surprise that there is still much they don't know, and can't or won't know anytime soon - and so this book is still valuable as a resource. If you haven't already vaccinated your children, read up on it first. If you have, read up on it so you can see what you missed and what you still might need to look for.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2002Objectivity in the controversy of vaccinations is almost non-existent. Aviva Jill Romm has accomplished a singular feat in providing parents with an intelligent discussion of the issues without telling the parent which they should choose. Rather, she presents summaries of the most pertinent vaccination studies, analyzes difficulties in interpreting existing data, and explores thoughtful questions involved in the decision. She makes it clear that "to vaccinate or not to vaccinate" is not an easy question, and it has no easy answers that will suit everybody. To help parents make an educated decision, Romm also offers a succinct primer on how the immune system works, what symptoms and risks present with each "vaccine-preventable disease," and standard treatments for each disease. The last half of the book includes herbal remedies and recipes for common childhood diseases, as a supplement to other healthy choices to improve immune system functioning. This book serves as an outstanding reference on vaccination-related facts, a balanced decision guide for parents, and a handy cookbook for home remedies. I buy this book for my friends who are seriously and genuinely investigating the vaccination decision without prejudice.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2006This is one of the books I used to help me decide whether or not we should vaccinate our children. I got this book when it first came out and I was expecting it to be very biased towards not vaccinating, but it's actually quite good and is not biased either way. She basically details all the illnesses that we vaccinate for and then describes the vaccines and how effective they are. It was quite an education. When I was initially researching whether or not to vaccinate I found that most books were either pro or against with nothing in between. This book was like a breath of fresh air in that regard. The Stephanie Cave book is also excellent. Between the two of them I found I was able to make an educated decision about what was best for our family (we decided to selectively vax.)
- Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2007I would have given it 4 1/2 but thats not an option. This book is packed with information about the vaccines, the diseases they are supposed to prevent as well as homeopathic alternatives. Unfortunatly as another reviewer stated, there are many sections that almost need to be read with the book in one hand and a dictionary in the other due to all the medical terminology.
Beyond that, I highly reccomend this book whether you're planning to fully vaccinate your child, selective or delay vaccinating or not vaccinating at all. This should be required reading for all expecting parents.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2018Bought used. Thankful for the delivery of a gently loved book.
Loved all the information given. As a new parent who’s mom didn’t vaccinate me, I wanted clear facts and this book is written in a way that it shows you all side of the argument without trying to make a personal statement.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2016So far, this book has been a great resource. I wasn't expecting this book to go into detail about the immune system like it does but it helps one understand the whole system better. I will continue to use this book as a go to as my little one grows.
Top reviews from other countries
MaryseReviewed in Canada on April 27, 20125.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful
I like everything I read from Aviva Jill Romm, so when I came across her book on vaccination, I did not hesitate to buy it.
I was looking for information that would be as objective as humanly possible, giving both sides of the story so that I could make informed decisions regarding my son's vaccinations. This book is extremely helpful, it gives a lot of information about the diseases the vaccines are meant to protect from as well as facts about the efficacy and the history of immunization. Romm also puts the vaccination concept into perspective by describing other approaches to health. Then she offers alternative treatments in case the diseases occur, while not hesitating to suggest (or urge) you seek medical support.
I highly recommend this book, although I admit it's a bit heavy since it is loaded with information. A must read for all parents and health professionals!
N. Mc CarthyReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 19, 20135.0 out of 5 stars Very balanced advice
This is an excellent book about vaccinations. It tells you the history of vaccines, the good and bad. It explains the risks and benefits of vaccines. It also gives herbal, dietary and natural healing advice for you if you child does get sick. It doesn't push it's own agenda or opinion only offers information and lets you make up your own mind. It is jam packed with valuable information.
Nena AleschewskiReviewed in Australia on February 24, 20155.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended
A very interesting and informative book, and an unbiased perspective which is difficult to find on the topic of vaccinations. Aviva Romm is a well respected doctor, midwife and herbalist, as a health professional myself I found this book very helpful and well referenced as well. Highly recommended
CaraReviewed in Canada on April 22, 20195.0 out of 5 stars Helpful info, pros and cons without propoganda or fear mongering!
This is a great common sense book that discusses the risks as well as benefits, and offers information to help make an informed decision on a medical procedure that so many somehow think is the only drug without side-effects, and the only medical procedure pushed as a one size fits all approach without even taking into consideration the weight difference in newborns given the same dose!
nicolthepickleReviewed in Canada on April 26, 20165.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
This is a very balanced book. One of the best I've read about vaccinations. She takes studies and findings and presents them to you without the emotional baggage that this subject usually carries.
It is a little hard to read, and sometimes I had to read passages over twice to make sure I understood them. But I definitely recommend this book to parents who want to make informed choices.


