The only way to herd immunity to this pandemic is with COVID-19 vaccines, but still, people are refusing the vaccine, not only in the USA but also throughout the world. But the anti-vaccine world is doing everything it can to sow fear, uncertainty, and doubt about these vaccines.
Herd immunity is a form of indirect protection from infectious diseases that can occur when a sufficient percentage of a population has become immune to an infection, by vaccines or infection, which reduces the risk of infection by members of the community who lack that immunity. Although we don’t have a solid estimate for herd immunity levels for COVID-19, it is estimated to be between 60 and 75%.
Without herd immunity, there are a number of consequences. People who cannot get vaccinated or are immunocompromised will always be at risk of contracting the disease. The virus will continue to be transmitted, which will lead to more dangerous mutations. And there are local outbreaks of COVID-19 across the world that could bring the disease back to the USA and many other countries where we don’t reach herd immunity.
A large group of COVID-19 deniers and anti-vaxxers want to create herd immunity “naturally” instead of using vaccines – that is essentially genocide since so many people will die or suffer long-term consequences.
We need to get the COVID-19 vaccines into as many people as we can so that we can reach herd immunity. Right now, about 25% of Americans may refuse to get the vaccine, and that means we probably cannot reach herd immunity.
mbedThis article is just a list of my articles that can be useful in your arguments with the anti-vaxxers and individuals who are “on-the-fence.”
Debunking COVID-19 vaccine myths
COVID-19 vaccines and herd immunity
Pfizer COVID-19 facts
Moderna vaccine facts
JNJ vaccine facts
mRNA vaccines and DNA
COVID-19 vaccines and infertility
COVID-19 vaccines and clotting – facts
COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials were well done
Vaccines save lives, literally
We all want this damn pandemic to end. If you know me in real life, you know I have a very personal reason for wanting this pandemic to end.
Get vaccinated. It’s safe and effective, despite the FUD pushed by the anti-vaxxers.
Citations
- Fine P, Eames K, Heymann DL. “Herd immunity”: a rough guide. Clin Infect Dis. 2011 Apr 1;52(7):911-6. doi: 10.1093/cid/cir007. PMID: 21427399.
- Fontanet A, Cauchemez S. COVID-19 herd immunity: where are we? Nat Rev Immunol. 2020 Oct;20(10):583-584. doi: 10.1038/s41577-020-00451-5. PMID: 32908300; PMCID: PMC7480627.
