Vaxxers: A Pioneering Moment in Scientific History

The work of these scientists is mind blowing! The hurdles they needed to jump to develop the vaccine were staggering.I have such respect for them. Time we return to giving universities money for science research, not just for something with a predetermined outcome but areas where it would be interesting to find out what’s going on - blue sky research.This was such a fascinating read.

The authors remind us that vaccines are deliberately designed rather than “discovered” and this book is a very lucid description of how that process works. It is a must read for anybody trying to better understand viruses and the vaccines developed to combat them. It is quite readable by non scientists and should help counter much of the misinformation surrounding the subject today, Unfortunately the very opinion leaders who most need to read it probably will not.The authors led the development of the Oxford - Astra Zeneca vaccine and are quite open about the inevitable setbacks along the way. They also reveal the immense stress of combatting a pandemic while having to adjust their personal lives and work practices to living within the pandemic itself.I found their detailing of all the other scientific teams who collaborated in this vital project fascinating. A vivid illustration of how, while brilliant insight may open a new path, it is relentless hard grind that finally delivers results.Finally, I learned a lot about the difficulties of scale up. A lab production facility can perhaps make 100 vaccine doses at a time, but there are 8 billion people at risk around the world and millions of doses are urgently needed. Partnership with a major manufacturer is the only practicable route. How that is successfully managed is a challenge in itself.

This is worthwhile. Vaccine development is exacting and complex, but the concepts are not hard to understand. We have all lived through the misinformation campaigns - this made the truth accessible in an easy informal introduction to a team of extraordinary people.

Not only is this a great story but also an excellent source of information. It's fascinating to gain insight into all the hard work that went into the development of the vaccine. It also provides insight into how this vaccine was deveoped so quickly but with all the appropriate testing being completed. It should allay any concerns that some have about the vacine being produced 'too quickly' or not being adequately tested. Highly recommended.

Indispensable reading for educating oneself on how a COVID-19 vaccine was developed in granular detail without being excruciating. The authors should be applauded for their superior science communication skills on top of their great work in bringing a life-saving vaccine to the world.

Good to know the facts!

Although written by two scientists, this is not a dense, scientific book inaccessible to the layman. On the contrary, it is a clear, accessible book, more reassuring than exciting. Gilbert and Green begins their story in November 2020, but explain as they went along, the kind of work that they had been doing with vaccines for the MERS virus had helped them respond quickly to the Corvid-19 virus that swept through the world that year. This book explains many questions that are abound to this day regarding vaccines. What are the differences, and are they safe? In a calm and assuring tone, the authors tell us that not all vaccines ae the same, but it is a misconception that they ‘contain lots of things that we would not want injected into us’. The ingredients may not be familiar to the layman, but they, the authors explain, ‘are in fact substances that are found naturally in the body’. Nonetheless, there are three kinds of risks that we should be informed when taking the vaccines. The first is that not all vaccines are safe for everyone. Some contain weakened versions of the pathogens may adversely affect people with compromised immune systems. Some other vaccines work in different ways that may not have such adverse effects on immunosuppressed people. Vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna do not permanently change our DNA because the mRNA used in the vaccine does not enter our cell’s nucleus where DNA is stored. The second kind of risk is the risk of side effects, but these are generally mild. They include soreness and fever, and are over within a few days. The third safety concern is that vaccinated people might develop a severe form of the disease when they are subsequently exposed to the pathogen. So far, the authors tell us, the trial reports show that when such cases occur, the vaccinated people only exhibit a mild form of the disease. Although the book has many interesting aspects, comforting the reader on the safety aspects is probably the most important part of the book. As the authors say, ‘Taking a vaccine is not risk-free – because nothing is. But not taking a vaccine is also not risk-free. You risk getting the disease yourself, and also passing it on to others.’

Sarah and Cath and their wonderful teams who have worked 24/7 on the development of this vaccine have saved millions of lives. This is totally awe-inspiring and I (as a retired Paediatric Oncologist) along with many, many others are eternally grateful. Thank you all.

Read it in two days and loved it. All the science is there, simply explained for non-sciencey people like me, but it's also the story of how normal people can achieve incredible things in extraordinary times.There's plenty of character here, it's not remotely a dry read. I found it quite emotional at times, and laughed at others.A great insight into a year in the life of two scientists who, along with their many colleagues, we have so much to thank for. An effective vaccine, cheap enough to vaccinate the world.Totally in awe of their hard work and determination.

I purchased this book when the story of how the Oxford AstraZeneca Vaccine had been created was given air time by the BBC. Based on this and how the Vaccine came to fruition by two amazing ladies fronting a dedicated team of scientists I just had to purchase this book. Would I be blinded by science? Would this read be far too technical for me? Would I just give up after the first couple of chapters? Absolutely Not. Both Professor Sarah Gilbert and Dr Catherine Green ( Vaxxers ) writing in what can only be described as a simplified explanation to the layperson such as I and many others. I have never read a book of this magnitude about a Vaccine for a life threatening worldwide decease. Those who are lucky to be alive thanks to the O.A.V should read about those amazing people who made a Vaccine not only for the U.K but for the rest the of world. I hope the Doubting Thomas’s including those politicians and others who poured scorn about a Vaccine that would save millions of lives purchase this book.

I was severely disappointed with this book. I was hoping for a really exciting tale of a race against a virus which threatens to wipe out humanity. But it gets very bogged down with the science and the sense of urgency is lost. I appreciate that the science must be included, but the authors have not learnt the trick of making it simple so that the reader gets the point quickly, and does not lose main thread of the story. A serious editing job is required to make the main issue stand out - a new procedure is required to produce a workable vaccine which can be scaled up so that billions of doses can be made within months. Instead of which we get pages and pages of near-incomprehensible scientific method. An opportunity missed.

This is a book that everyone should read, especially politicians. This highly motivated team have produced a life saving saving vaccine despite the obstructions of journalists seeking sensational headlines (never mind the truth) and politicians at the sacrifice of sleep and family life and all the other things that normal people enjoy. I cannot recommend it too highly.