nyájimmunitáshoz

Herd immunity, also known as community immunity, is a form of indirect protection from infectious disease that occurs when a large percentage of a population has become immune to an infection, thereby providing a measure of protection for individuals who are not immune. This immunity can be achieved through vaccination or through a prior infection.

When a sufficient proportion of a population is immune, the spread of a disease is significantly hampered. The chains of infection are broken because the pathogen encounters fewer susceptible individuals. This protects not only those who are immune but also those who are vulnerable, such as infants, the elderly, or individuals with compromised immune systems who cannot be vaccinated or may not develop a strong immune response.

The threshold for achieving herd immunity varies depending on the contagiousness of the disease. Highly contagious diseases, like measles, require a very high percentage of the population to be immune. Less contagious diseases require a lower threshold.

Herd immunity is a crucial concept in public health strategies for controlling and eradicating infectious diseases. Vaccination programs are a primary tool for achieving herd immunity safely and effectively, preventing widespread outbreaks and protecting the most vulnerable members of society. Relying on natural infection to achieve herd immunity carries significant risks of severe illness, death, and overwhelming healthcare systems.