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Vaccination Is the Only Acceptable Path to Herd Immunity
1Center for Global Health Science and Security, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
Med (New York, N.Y.)
|February 1, 2021
Summary
Achieving herd immunity for SARS-CoV-2 requires vaccination, not natural infection. Relying on natural spread of the virus will cause widespread illness and death, hindering public health efforts.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Population-level herd immunity is essential for controlling SARS-CoV-2.
- Strategies to achieve herd immunity significantly impact public health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the viability of natural infection versus vaccination as a strategy for achieving herd immunity against SARS-CoV-2.
- To highlight the public health implications of different herd immunity approaches.
Main Methods:
- This study is a conceptual analysis and literature review.
- It synthesizes epidemiological data and public health policy recommendations.
Main Results:
- Proposals for herd immunity via natural SARS-CoV-2 infection lead to increased transmission and mortality.
- Vaccination is identified as the sole effective method for reaching herd immunity.
Conclusions:
- Vaccination is the only safe and effective strategy for achieving population-level herd immunity against SARS-CoV-2.
- Policies promoting natural infection are detrimental to public health and disease control efforts.
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