India's vaccine growth story- from cowpox to vaccine maitry

by Sajjan Singh Yadav

Did you know that vaccines save 3 million lives annually?  This potent group of weapons has notably annihilated smallpox, pushed polio to the verge of elimination and is now taking on COVID-19 as the dreaded virus keeps changing forms to survive in its fierce battle with humankind.   
Indians practised inoculation centuries before the West discovered vaccines in 1796. India’s Vaccine Growth Story charts the journey of vaccines from the Jennerian era to the COVID-19 pandemic, covering multiple facets of vaccines, from the Indian and global perspective. Apart from discussing vaccine leadership, vaccine nationalism, vaccine hesitancy, eagerness and equity, as well as the latest diplomatic currency―the vaccine-maitri, the book also tracks the decade-long vaccine development cycle that was drastically cut short to a few months, taking readers through India’s exciting and meticulously-planned sojourn of executing the world’s largest vaccination drive.

308 pages, Paperback

Published June 20, 2022

Reviews

[Journally Speaking · Rating 4 out of 5]

The store of passage of vaccine through the centuries is an eye-opener. The author has given empirical evidence and serious stats to underline the priority given by governments across the globe to prevent, eradicate and cure people through vaccinations. He discusses India’s active role in promoting and pushing vaccine programmes in developing nations. Sprinkled throughout this scientific book are fascinating stories : the first modern vaccine through cows( milkmaid’s complexion and their immunity to deadly poxes lead to its discovery), its expansion through the old and new worlds ( arm-to-arm transmission to different continents) and its penetration even in the most marginalised sections( ring vaccination in eastern Nigeria.) It came as a big surprise that India now meets 62% of the worldwide demand for vaccines.
A must read for everyone as lays out in clear terms the undeniable effects of vaccine programs at micro and macro levels

[Sajjan Yadav]

The book not only presents an illuminating account of the global growth journey of vaccines spanning over two centuries, it also discusses many topical issues like vaccine diplomacy, vaccine equity, vaccine hesitancy and eagerness, and vaccine leadership. Further, the book enlightens its readers on COVID-19 pandemic and how the decade-long vaccine development cycle has been drastically cut short to a few months. It also takes readers through India's exciting and meticulously planned sojourn of executing the world's largest vaccination drive.

The book has been written in a simple language and in a very interesting manner with short stories and anecdotes richly sprinkled. It not only provides an Indian perspective but presents stories from across the globe on each topic covered.

I would highly recommend it not just for people from a science background but for every one.

[Ritu Garodia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Compelling Read

An extremely powerful story of mankind's fight against diseases. From the vaccinations done by ancient civilisations to its accidental discovery by Western nations to the fast track development of Covid vaccine --the book covers it all. The gamut of history,facts and collective political and global consciousness in developing the latest vaccine is mind-boggling. The statics and dry facts are interwoven into rich tapestry of interesting anecdotes, keeping the reader glued from first page to the last. This is author's first novel (I checked him up); but he has complete control of his narrative and his style.

[ASHUTOSH GOENKA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful book depicting the journey of vaccine across civilisations, continents and centuries. It excels at showcasing the determined spirits of scientists, political leaders and traditional monarchs to control epidemics and pandemics through innovation and inoculations. It also focuses on preconceived notions - vaccine hesitancy - which have been fanned by politicians and religious leader to the detriment of mass health, resulting in spread of preventable epidemic.

A must read book for everyone: an eye opener to vaccine inequity, policy, diplomacy and India's action on these issue on world stage.