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Abstract:
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The invention of the vaccine has been one of the greatest public health triumphs of the modern world . Each new vaccine has saved thousands - even millions - of lives worldwide , but this success has been fraught with controversy over the safety and even the effectiveness of vaccines . Vaccines have not always had a spotless safety record , but today’s vaccines are incredibly safe and continue to protect millions of people against diseases that have significantly declined or nearly disappeared from the developing world . It is this very success that has led many people to forget , or never discover , what those diseases are and how destructive they can be . This report tells the story of several families whose lives were deeply affected by vaccine -preventable diseases , accompanied with images that help tell their story . Following these stories is a broader discussion of the issues related to vaccines , the misunderstandings and misinformation that often circulate about them , a brief mention of their safety and efficacy , and a general discussion of many of the diseases they can prevent . |