Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Arts & Culture

NOVA: Vaccines - Calling The Shots

Dr. Amy Middleman with patients at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
Courtesy of Tangled Bank Studios & Genepool Productions
Dr. Amy Middleman with patients at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

Airs Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV

Explore the science behind the headlines in PBS’ premier science series. With compelling stories and spectacular visuals, NOVA programs demystify science and technology for viewers of all ages and spotlight people involved in scientific pursuits.

Joumana Chandab and a now happy and healthy Osman, Melbourne, Australia.
Courtesy of Genepool Productions
Joumana Chandab and a now happy and healthy Osman, Melbourne, Australia.
Gabriella Makstman and her daughter Rivka, Yuliya Patsay, Marianna Fastovksy, San Francisco, Calif.
Courtesy of Tangled Bank Studios & Genepool Productions
Gabriella Makstman and her daughter Rivka, Yuliya Patsay, Marianna Fastovksy, San Francisco, Calif.

"Vaccines - Calling The Shots" - Diseases that were largely eradicated in the United States a generation ago—whooping cough, measles, mumps—are returning, in part because nervous parents are skipping their children’s shots.

The new NOVA special "Vaccines – Calling The Shots" takes viewers around the world to track epidemics, explore the science behind vaccinations, and shed light on the risks of opting out. Featuring scientists, pediatricians, psychologists, anthropologists, and parents wrestling with vaccine-related questions.

Advertisement

Visit the program website to explore these vaccination-related features: Immunity and Vaccines Explained; What is Herd Immunity?; Making Vaccines; The Autism-Vaccine Myth; Why is Whooping Cough Back?; Preventing HPV-Caused Cancers; Tiny Tattoo Vaccines; Stabilizing Vaccines with Silk; What Drives Vaccination Rates?; Fighting HPV in Bhutan; Brushes with Death.

Past episodes of NOVA are available for online viewing. NOVA is on Facebook, and you can follow @novapbs on Twitter.