In my microbiology class, students read Paul Offit’s ‘Vaccinated’, an excellent account of the life and work of Maurice Hilleman, creator of many vaccines in common use today. I don’t know how many of my students are aware of it, but Coursera.org is a free online university offering courses in a number of subjects taught by senior faculty from many distinguished universities. Today marked the first day of Paul Offit’s Vaccine course, which covers topics related to the history, development, use and misinformation surrounding vaccines. From the course website:

1) History of Vaccines – Viruses

2) History of Vaccines – Bacteria

3) Current and ‘Alternate’ Schedule

4) Common Questions About Vaccines

5) Vaccines in the media

6) Creation of a Vaccine – Case Study: The Rotavirus Vaccine

7) Vaccine Exemptions

I can’t promise that this course is still open, but I expect it is – and best of all it’s FREE.

Furthermore, if you sign up and only decide to watch one or two class lectures, there’s no risk: just drop out or simply stop signing in. So, if you have any interest in the subject, or would simply like to see what it’s like, go onto Coursera.org and type ‘vaccines’ in the search bar.