Infectious Diseases: Too Many Shots

Virtually every U.S. infant born under a doctor's care gets three shots, spaced a month apart, of a three-way vaccine against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus, or "lockjaw." Most children receive a booster shot a year later. Many get additional tetanus toxoid boosters in school or collegeĀ—and, of course, in the armed forces.

Are all these shots necessary? No, says a group of experts headed by Harvard's Dr. Thomas C. Peebles, who shared a Nobel prize for his part in the research that made polio vaccines possible. The experts do not intend...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!