Herd Immunity: Understanding COVID-19

• Published in: Immunity (Cambridge, Mass.) Vol. 52; no. 5; pp. 737 - 741
• Main Authors: Randolph, Haley E., Barreiro, Luis B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 19.05.2020; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adaptive immunity; Basic Reproduction Number; Betacoronavirus - immunology; Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; Coronavirus Infections - immunology; Coronavirus Infections - transmission; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Demography; Disease transmission; Epidemics; Estimates; Fatalities; Global Health; Herd immunity; Humans; Immunity; Immunity, Herd; Infections; Laboratories; Models, Immunological; Pandemics; Pathogens; Pneumonia, Viral - epidemiology; Pneumonia, Viral - immunology; Pneumonia, Viral - transmission; Population; Primer; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Vaccination; Vaccination Coverage; Vaccines; Viral diseases; China
• ISSN: 1074-7613; 1097-4180; 1097-4180
• DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.04.012

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its associated disease, COVID-19, has demonstrated the devastating impact of a novel, infectious pathogen on a susceptible population. Here, we explain the basic concepts of herd immunity and discuss its implications in the context of COVID-19. The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its associated disease, COVID-19, has demonstrated the devastating impact of a novel, infectious pathogen on a susceptible population. Here, we explain the basic concepts of herd immunity and discuss its implications in the context of COVID-19.