"In Unvaccinated Under God , Kira Ganga Kieffer explores a seldom discussed but important aspect of vaccine hesitancy--the role of religion. Although no major religion has prohibitions against vaccines, within every religious community there are sects or isolated groups who exploit vaccines for other agendas, sometimes political. Kieffer has undertaken the ambitious task of explaining how this happens, which is key to understanding vaccine hesitancy in America, and perhaps globally. I'm very glad she has written this important new book."-- Peter Hotez, MD, author of The Deadly Rise of Anti-Science: A Scientist's Warning "Kieffer offers a refreshing and vitally important analysis of why so many Americans are worrying about or rejecting some or all vaccines. The answer is not ignorance, or rejection of science--it's about belief, in all of its complexity. Kieffer deftly proves that religion and religiosity--the ideas, beliefs, and practices through which people decide how to live, where knowledge comes from, and which knowledge matters--have been the missing link in greater understanding of vaccine hesitancy. We need this knowledge now more than ever.

"-- Elena Conis, author of Vaccine Nation: America's Changing Relationship with Immunization "To most Americans, the vax question is simple: Take the jab and save lives. Those who refuse are a pox on the body politic. In this pathbreaking religious history of a half century of vaccine skepticism, Kira Ganga Kieffer unearths a subtler contest not between science and stupidity but between competing sacred values and visions of medical and moral authority. The way forward? Scoff less; understand more. Necessary reading for anyone concerned about the well-being (and survival) of our body politic."-- Stephen Prothero, author of Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know--And Doesn't "In this surprising and insightful book, vaccine hesitancy emerges as a religious practice. Kira Ganga Kieffer analyzes nearly fifty years of U.S.

vaccine controversies and shows how deciding not to get a vaccine became such a popular moral demonstration. Essential reading to understand this political present and our biomedical future."-- Kathryn Lofton, author of Consuming Religion "Combining compelling stories with astute historical analysis, Kieffer invites us to take a new look at the people who resist vaccines. With a broad understanding of the everyday practices and moral commitments that constitute religion, we can see the way vaccine avoidance defines a virtuous life and membership in a moral community. Unvaccinated Under God adds valuable insight into many of today's cultural divisions."-- Nancy T. Ammerman, Boston University " Unvaccinated Under God brings valuable new insights into current understandings of what drives vaccine hesitancy by bringing a religious lens to the issue. Kieffer points to the emergence of 'moral communities,' calling out language used in vaccine hesitancy narratives that echo religious vocabulary--'testimony' and 'witness' around vaccine adverse events, children being 'sacrificed' for herd immunity, not respecting the 'sacredness' of purity and natural health.

This is an important book to read for anyone grappling with the deeper questions around what is really driving vaccine hesitancy."-- Heidi Larson, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.