Vaccines, Autoimmunity, and the Changing Nature of Childhood Illness

By: Thomas Cowan MD

Narrated by: Madison Niederhauser

Length: 4 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

One doctor’s surprising answer to the epidemic of autoimmunity and chronic disease. 

Over the past 50 years, rates of autoimmunity and chronic disease have exploded: Currently, one in two-and-a-half American children has an allergy; one in 11 has asthma; one in 13 has severe food allergies; and one in 36 has autism. While some attribute this rise to increased awareness and diagnosis, Thomas Cowan, MD, argues for a direct causal relationship to a corresponding increase in the number of vaccines American children typically receive - approximately 70 vaccine doses by age 18. The goal of these vaccines is precisely what we’re now seeing in such abundance among our chronically ill children: the provocation of immune response. 

Dr. Cowan looks at emerging evidence that certain childhood illnesses are actually protective of disease later in life; examines the role of fever, the gut, and cellular fluid in immune health; argues that vaccination is an ineffective (and harmful) attempt to shortcut a complex immune response; and asserts that the medical establishment has engaged in an authoritarian argument that robs parents of informed consent. His ultimate question, from the point of view of a doctor who has decades of experience treating countless children, is what we are really doing to children when we vaccinate them.

©2018 Thomas Cowan (P)2018 Chelsea Green Publishing

Hear both sides

Over the past few years I have become more and more disillusioned about the reality of vaccines and their role in man-made diseases. I spent a great deal of time reading the peer reviewed research on both sides but wanted more discussion from the scientists and doctors themselves. So I downloaded to books to listen to: “Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel's Autism” by Dr Peter Hotez, and this book “Vaccines, Autoimmunity, and the Changing Nature of Childhood Illness” by Dr Thomas Cowan. Both are recognized pedestrians and both are on opposing sides of the vaccine debate. Dr Hotez, who by all definitions is an expert in vaccines and how they work, provides little to no explanation of how they work with the immune system and engages his readers/listeners as though they are too uneducated, and even too stupid, to comprehend the intricate process by which the body and vaccines work. In contrast, Dr Cowan not explains in detail how these processes work, but also explains what led to the misconceptions that are now pervasive in western medicine. Dr Cowan seeks to empower his audience with knowledge and support, whereas Dr Hotez chose to insult his listeners and spend nearly his entire time ridiculing parents and professors who are exposing the truth about vaccines and the injuries they cause. I challenge anyone to listen to both of these books and come to your own conclusions.

Wow

I thought Dr. Cowan was brave to write his book on cancer, but this one goes to the heart of the current medical and political establishments far more so. Congratulations must also be given to Chelsea Green for publishing a book like this, and for publishing Dr. Cowan’s other work. This is not something to be taken lightly. In the age of Google censoring natural health information online, a return to books might be our only source of information in the future.

A wonderful book, full of eye-opening perspectives on health and history. Well documented.

Excellent book on how immunity really works

Dr Cowan did an excellent job of communicating how the immune system truly develops and results in healthy immunity against infectious disease. This process does not require or need to include vaccinations. And it is not uncommon for vaccinations to interfere with this process and result in chronic disease.

Loved

Loved this book which I felt was less an assault on vaccines per se and more a recommendation on how to view and live life. Narration was a bit too quick.

Fresh insight into vaccination debate.

Fresh insight into vaccination debate. I never stop learning and being amazed about non flexibility and stiffness of official medicine.

Amazing read

This was a truly great scientific work. Full of scientific citations and specific examples. Everyone should be willing to read and consider the information contained.

Contradicts self

I was impressed by his book about the heart, but
In this one... the contradictions are ver difficult to swallow. He states that infections are good to train your immune system but that is exactly what immunizations do. He states there is no elevation of immunoglobulin in asthma, but immunoglobulin E can be elevated in asthma and allergies.
He mentioned Coley's toxins were good, but diphtheria vaccine does the same thing.
Sorry, I can not recommend this book

Profound!!!

Revolutionary book that simplistically turns the Modern Western Medical Model on its head! A must read for anyone slightly interested in wellness, especially of children. Incredibly insightful and spared from hyperbole; Dr. Cowan brilliantly and concisely depicts a paradigm shift in both cellular biology and the human immune system.

Very informative

I learned a lot more than I expected to. Every parent should read this book not only for their children,but also for themselves.

Not Really about vaccines; Well worth reading

The author synthesizes the perspectives of a handful of highly influential medical and scientific experts to propose a fundamental shift in the 20th and early 21st century approach to medical care, and the sciences of human cell biology and human immunology. The author directly, and somewhat defiantly, challenges the current conventional views.

When the data from the most recent experts on cell biology, the structure/phases of water, and etc. are all pieced together into a framework proposed by this author... and the changes are applied to major historical events, recent research, and public health trends, it highlights how we've fundamentally misunderstood critical aspects of human health, cell biology and immunology.

The author uses vaccines as a sort of vehicle or case study to illustrate his proposal for a fundamental shift in how we approach these things.

It's a lot to consider.

And it was definitely a fascinating listen!

Must read to get a deep understanding of illness

This is a clear and to the point book. Well written and narrated. Thomas Cowan reminds us that we are human and connected to nature and how we have gone off track with medicine.

No germs necessary

An excellent introduction to medicines and childhood sickness. Tom Cowan gives a great outside the box approach to this book. I am eternally grateful for this, especially when the fuss came out over this virus nonsense.
Highly recommended

Well written

This is a good point of view on the subject discussed in this book.

Well written and a lot of informations of which are people not aware of.

Highly recommend this piece

Excellent well rounded and informative

Fantastic insight into vaccines, links to automatimmunity and non medical ways to combat these disease. Dr. Cowan is a rare voice of reason and truth on this subject who speaks from real life experience and learning. Highly recommended to anyone educating themselves on vaccines for children.

great book

an eye opening book, with so much detailed explanation. if you are curious about autoimmunity and vaccines and even a little about nutrition you must read/ listen to this book

Excellent

This gave me an incredible insight into the history of vaccines. Along with other books and additional research, everything that was discussed resonates with what I have been researching elsewhere.

Best audible listen yet

Very interesting work. Worth a listen! a difficult subject well handled. I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in being informed about human health.

Excellent, intelligent book on this subject

Excellent book with information about the immune system and suggested treatment options for those living with autoimmune disorders. Highly educational and consistently interesting.

a bit technical

much needed common sense information, was a bit academic in places and you will need to find out more about the GAP diet if you want to follow his protocol but well worth it

some interesting points, also some outrageous ones

while it offers some interesting points to think about and some different theories in what we might think as an established fact. it falls very badly when it comes to dietary advise. Low amount of fruits is the red flag. as well as silly amounts of fat, organ meat. this idea of eating brain to be smart is still perpetuated in this book. And as much as he talks about addressing the actual cause of the disease - how is eating animal thyroid gland to divert your immune system towards that is addressing the cause?? Even if it was to actually work.