Coronavirus vs Herd Immunity.
Recently, You’ve probably heard the term “Herd Immunity”
So What is Herd Immunity and can it stop the coronavirus?
Herd immunity means community immunity or group protection. When so many people in a community become immune to an infectious disease.It stops the disease from spreading.
There are two ways to achieve it. By exposing a large percentage of the population to a virus or by producing a vaccine. This helps protect people who aren’t vaccinated or who have low functioning immune systems
Such as, People with certain health conditions and weakened immune systems. Older adults,Babies,Young children and Pregnant women
The goal of herd immunity is to prevent others from catching or spreading an infectious disease. Social distancing and frequent hand washing are currently the only ways to help prevent you Until we get a Vaccine
Does herd immunity work?
Herd immunity does work for some illnesses. For Example, People in Norway developed a partial herd immunity to the Swine flu through vaccinations and natural immunity
Similarly, Influenza was projected to cause fewer deaths in 2010 and 2011 because more of the population was immune to it.
So What are the challenges in creating HERD IMMUNITY?
For some diseases, herd immunity can go into effect when 40% of the population become immune to the disease. But In most cases, 80% to 95% of the population must be immune to the disease to stop its spread.
The more infectious a disease, the greater the population immunity needed to ensure herd immunity. For example,The new Coronavirus infected person can pass it on to two or three new people on average.
This means that herd immunity should be achieved when around 60% of
the population becomes immune to COVID-19.
Risks to HERD IMMUNITY?
Scientists don’t know if you can contract SARS-CoV-2 and develop COVID-19 more than once.
People who contract SARS-CoV-2 and develop COVID-19 can experience serious side effects. Severe cases can lead to death.
Vulnerable members of society, such as older adults and people with some chronic health conditions, could get very sick if they’re exposed to this virus.
Hospitals and healthcare systems may be overburdened if many people
develop COVID-19 at the same time.
Scientists are currently working on a vaccine for COVID-19
Anthony Fauci, the infectious diseases expert in the U.S has said a vaccine could be available within 12 to 18 months. If we have a vaccine, we may be able to develop herd immunity against this virus in the future
This would mean getting the COVID-19 in specific doses and making sure the majority of the world’s population is vaccinated
Within few Weeks or Months Many countries are set to lift lockdown restrictions gradually
So We have to wait to see how Effective is Herd Immunity to fight against COVID-19
#Coronavirus,#Covid_19,#Pandamic
