Booster Shots

The Urgent Lessons of Measles and the Uncertain Future of Children's Health

De: Adam Ratner MD MPH

Narrado por: Adam Ratner MD MPH

A pediatrician and infectious disease specialist warns of the resurgence of measles, the antivaccine movement, and how we can prepare for the next pandemic

Every single child diagnosed with measles represents a system failure—an inexcusable unforced error. The technology to prevent essentially 100 percent of measles cases has been in our hands since before the moon landing. But this serious airborne disease, once seemingly defeated, is resurgent around the globe. Why, at a time when biomedical science is so advanced, do parents turn away from vaccination, endangering their own children and the health of the wider population?

Using a combination of patient narrative, historical analysis, and scientific research, Dr. Adam Ratner, pediatrician and infectious disease specialist, argues that the reawakening of measles and the subsequent coronavirus pandemic are bellwethers of forgotten knowledge—indicators of decaying trust in science and an underfunded public health infrastructure. Our collective amnesia is starkly revealed in the growth of the antivaccine movement and the missteps in our responses to the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, leading to preventable tragedies in both cases.

Trust in medicine and public health is at a nadir. Declining vaccine confidence threatens a global reemergence of other vaccine-preventable diseases in the coming years. Ratner details how solving these problems requires the use of literal and figurative “booster shots” to gather new knowledge and retain the crucial lessons of the past. Learning—and remembering—these lessons is our best hope for preparing for the next pandemic. With attention and care and the tools we already have, we can make the world much safer for children tomorrow than it is today.

©2025 Adam Ratner (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A masterful history of both grand and intimate scale, Dr. Ratner details how we reached a point of extraordinary scientific achievement and painful systemic distrust, making a forceful case for the path forward, across politics, public health, and patient care."—Chelsea Clinton

“Not only have we largely eliminated measles from the United States, we’ve eliminated the memory of measles. As a result, measles is coming back. Weaving historical events with personal experiences, Dr. Ratner makes us remember, telling us exactly what is at stake if we continue along this path. A fascinating read—Booster Shots is a call to arms in a troubled time.”—Paul A. Offit, MD, author of Tell Me When It’s Over

“In many parts of the world, we are seeing the return of measles because of interruptions in childhood immunization programs, but also because parents are refusing to vaccinate their children. In Booster Shots, pediatric infectious disease expert Dr. Ratner informs us on what we must do to get back on track, and the potential for global eradication.”—Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, Director, Center for Vaccine Development, Texas Children's Hospital

History of 1846 measles outbreak in Faroe Islands inspires

So grateful for stories from the past which can inspire responses today. And how social understanding can have huge effects on health outcomes.

A really important lesson

As a retired pediatrician, my initial interest was in history. My own child had the measles in the early days of vaccine availability, but she was too young to get the vaccine. Even in the absence of severe consequences, I wouldn’t wish for ANYONE to get the disease. It’s miserable.
Dr Ratner gives an excellent history of vaccine development (measles and other diseases), and a discussion of the political and economic influences on our ability to eradicate a disease for which we have the tools to do so. His explanations are clear and in terms that any interested individual should be able to understand. His narration is superb. Thank you!

Loved it!

This was so educational & sadly, relevant. Thank you, Dr. Ratner for giving us a straightforward explanation of the measles & the effort to eradicate this virus!

Excellent book!

Fascinating look at measles including history of the disease, virology, vaccine history, public health initiatives, with a hopeful ending