Is Omicron taking us closer to herd immunity against COVID? Experts say it’s unlikely that the highly permeable version – or any other variant – will promote herd immunity.
, herd immunity is an elusive concept and does not apply to the coronavirus,” says Dr. Don Milton at the University of Maryland School of Public Health.
Herd immunity occurs when enough of a population is immune to the virus that it is difficult for the germ to spread to people who are not protected by vaccination or prior infection.
For example, herd immunity against measles requires about 95% of people in a community to be immunized. The initial hopes of herd immunity against the corona virus have faded due to several reasons.
One is that available vaccines or antibodies developed from previous infections tend to decline over time. While vaccines provide strong protection against serious disease, a decrease in antibodies means it is still possible to become infected – even for those who have been outnumbered.
Then there is huge variation in vaccination. In some low-income countries, less than 5% of the population is vaccinated. Rich countries are grappling with the hesitation of a vaccine. And young children are still not eligible in many places.
As the virus spreads, it mutates – helping the virus to survive and give rise to new forms. Those mutants – such as Omicron – may be better able to avoid vaccines or protect people from earlier infections.
Populations are moving toward “herd resistance,” where infections will continue, but people have enough defenses that future spikes won’t be disruptive to society, Milton says.
Many scientists believe COVID-19 Will eventually become flu-like and cause seasonal outbreaks but not surges.
This story has been published without modification in text from a wire agency feed. Only the title has been changed.
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