THE PLOT THUS FAR
Diseases that were largely eradicated in the United States a generation ago–including whooping cough, measles, mumps–are returning, in part because nervous parents are skipping their children’s shots. Vaccines – Calling the Shots, a new NOVA special, takes viewers around the world to track epidemics, explore the science behind vaccinations, and shed light on the risks of opting out.
The vast majority of Americans vaccinate their children, and most do it on the recommended schedule. Yet many people have questions about the safety of vaccines, and in some communities, vaccination rates have fallen below the level needed to maintain “herd immunity” –allowing outbreaks to take hold and spread. This film draws on the latest, best available evidence to help parents find the answers.
Highlighting real cases and placing them in historical context, Vaccines–Calling the Shots traces outbreaks of communicable diseases and demonstrates just how fast they can spread–and how many people can fall sick–when a community’s immunity barrier falls.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Vaccines: Calling the Shots” is an hour long look at the history of Vaccination in America. While there is a ton of focus on the modern day, there are also examinations of how herd immunity impacts the success rate of vaccines. When you have morons like Jenny McCarthy and her ilk telling people not to get vaccinations, you still endanger those that got the shots. Effective rates start to plummet and places like Los Angeles start to reflect Central Africa. These are all things that happened.
Vaccination in America is so damn bizarre anymore. The material is there, but so is the disinformation. You can look at generations of Americans that were vaccinated and didn’t die. But, people keep wanting to hunt down and find the handful of exceptions ala the Raggedy Ann origins. It’s disgusting, but such is life.
The DVD comes with no special features. The A/V Quality is pretty strong for the release. The transfer is on par with the last couple of PBS documentaries. The same goes for the Dolby 2.0 surround track. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to parents and the curious.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!