Comprehensive Vaccine App Available on iPhones and iPads
May 04, 2017

If you’re looking for a comprehensive source of vaccine information, look no further than The Vaccine Handbook App, now available for Apple iPhones and iPads.

This free downloadable App serves as an enhanced digital version of the new 2017 (6^th) edition of The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians (often referred to as “The Purple Book”).  

This book, written by Dr. Gary Marshall, professor of pediatrics and chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Louisville, was first published in 2004.  Each edition of The Vaccine Handbook compiles a wide variety of information on vaccine science, guidance, and practice into one easily accessible user-friendly resource.

The App, which was first released a little over a year ago, was updated in April 2017 to contain the new 6th edition of the book and the program has been enhanced in many new ways. The electronic version of The Purple Book is fully searchable, with functionality that includes bookmarking, highlighting, user annotation and active links to content on the Internet. There is also a resource section in the App that complements the book with links to vaccine websites, governmental organizations, manufacturers, and various advocacy groups, including Every Child By Two.

Dr. Marshall elaborates on the intent of the project by saying,

“From the beginning, the purpose of The Purple Book was to distill down the complex world of vaccine science and practice into something that practitioners could use, not just for optimizing implementation, but for deepening their understanding as well. It’s not just a “how to” guide; it’s a “how to and here’s why” book.”

The Purple Book is ideal for pediatricians, family physicians, internists, obstetrician/gynecologists, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, and clinical staff. Additionally, Dr. Marshall believes the publication can also be used as the basis for a vaccine curriculum for students and residents.  It can even be a useful resource to parents and patients. He explains,

“The content is expansive but the language is plain, simple, and accessible. It covers the rationale behind authoritative immunization recommendations as well as the many contingencies encountered in everyday practice. Beyond this, it provides a readable foundation on how vaccines are developed, tested, and licensed; how vaccine policy is made; what constitutes the vaccine safety net; standards and regulations; billing; office logistics; and much more. It can be read cover-to-cover, or section-by-section.”

The book is divided into two sections. 

The first section includes, among other things; 

• basic principles of vaccine immunology;
• background on vaccine development, infrastructure and policy;
• vaccination standards;
• general vaccine recommendations and implementation;
• vaccination schedules;
• vaccination in special circumstances;
• and most importantly, tips on addressing concerns about vaccines.

The second section contains details about every vaccine currently licensed in the United States, as well as; 

• the burden and epidemiology of the respective diseases,
• history of the immunization program,
• vaccine constituents,
• vaccine efficacy,
• vaccine safety,
• and vaccine recommendations.

MaryBeth Koslap-Petraco, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at Stony Brook University School of Nursing, had this to share about her recent experience using the App:

 “The App is perfect for accessing vaccine information without having to carry around the book. I was preparing a lecture for school nurses about vaccine hesitancy and I used the app on my phone. It was incredibly quick and easy to locate the information I was looking for in the index and then scroll to the specific pages I needed.  Upon opening the App I found the section buttons right on the first page.  I then went directly to the “Addressing Concerns” section which included information on vaccine refusal, communicating risks and benefits, and other topics related to vaccine concerns.  All of the information I needed, along with a complete list of references, was right in one place. If you’re someone who wants to have a full array of vaccine information at your fingertips, than I highly recommend that you download this App.” 

Dr. Marshall adds,

“There are many vaccine resources, but The Purple Book is unique. It is replete with scientific background but it is not an academic textbook—at the same time, it is much more than just a compilation of facts and recommendations.”

The most recent version of this free downloadable App is sponsored by the Immunization Action Coalition and can be found by searching the iTunes App Store for “The Vaccine Handbook App” or by clicking the link here.  Download it today and let us know what you think in the comments below.

For anyone still interested in a hard copy of the book, they can be ordered directly from the App, in bulk from the publisher, or from the Immunization Action Coalition website at a cost of $34.95 each.

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