Herd Immunity (Herd Protection)

Description

A communicable disease introduced into a susceptible population will spread through that population at a speed determined by its virulence and incubation period. If enough people in the population (the "herd") are immune, then spread of the infection may be interrupted and even stopped.

For most infections there is a critical percent of the population that must be immune to reduce spread; this is often around 80-86% of the population.

Immunity may be achieved either by prior infection or by administration of a vaccine. Immunity from infection may be more "durable" (long lasting) than immunity achieved by immunization.

People who may benefit the most form herd immunity:

(1) people who have not been vaccinated

(2) people who have not developed protective immunity following immunization

(3) people who are immunocompromised

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