herd immunity

People line up for COVID-19 vaccinations last month in Hagerstown, Md. Each person vaccinated helps end the pandemic, epidemiologists say, and helps lower the rate of hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

It's Time For America's Fixation On Herd Immunity To End, Scientists Say

9:20am May 18, 2021

by Geoff Brumfiel

Researchers say the herd immunity threshold isn't the right finish line to end the pandemic. Instead, the public should just focus on getting as many people vaccinated as possible.

A health worker vaccinates a Buddhist monk sitting in front of a portrait of Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at a secondary school in Bhutan on March 27, the first day of the country's vaccination campaign. Less than two weeks later, health

World News

The Country That Vaccinated 93% Of Adults In Under 2 Weeks

6:45pm April 12, 2021

by Rachel Treisman

Just 12 days after Bhutan launched a nationwide vaccination campaign on March 27, health officials said 93% of eligible adults had received one dose of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine.

Nearly a third of adults in the U.S. have gotten at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine so far, but researchers warn that vaccine refusal may keep the country from reaching herd immunity.

Health & Safety

Vaccine Refusal May Put Herd Immunity At Risk, Researchers Warn

6:19pm April 07, 2021

by Geoff Brumfiel

One in four Americans say they won't get a coronavirus vaccine. Researchers say it could keep the nation from reaching a critical tipping point.

Model of how vaccination rates effect infection rates.

How Herd Immunity Works — And What Stands In Its Way

3:16pm February 18, 2021

Scientists say the pandemic will only end in the U.S. when we achieve what's called herd immunity. Play with our simulations to see how immunity can stop an outbreak in its tracks.

People line up for drive-through COVID-19 vaccination at Coors Field baseball stadium in Denver on Saturday.

Health & Safety

A Rocky Road On The Way To Herd Immunity For COVID-19

10:48am February 03, 2021

by Richard Harris

At least 70% of people will need to be immune from the coronavirus before COVID-19 can recede through a process known as herd immunity. Vaccines can play a role. But reaching the goal won't be easy.

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Dr. Joseph Varon prepares to enter the COVID-19 unit at Houston's United Memorial Medical Center in May. With him are nurses Tanna Ingraham (left) and Jerusha Harshman (right).

At Houston Hospital, Head Of COVID-19 Unit Sees Some Staff Wary Of A Vaccine

8:47pm December 16, 2020

Dr. Joseph Varon of Houston's United Memorial Medical Center senses distrust for a vaccine among some hospital staff. "They all think it's meant to harm specific sectors of the population," he says.

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Dr. Anthony Fauci reiterated his plans to publicly take the vaccine when it becomes available to him.

Fauci Predicts U.S. Could See Signs Of Herd Immunity By Late March Or Early April

2:04pm December 15, 2020

by Brakkton Booker

Dr. Fauci said once the vaccine becomes widely available, if by "April, May, June, July, we get as many people vaccinated as possible, we could really turn this thing around" by the end of 2021.

As we get closer to a COVID-19 vaccine, it's exciting to imagine a day when the virus is gone. But a vaccine will not be a magic bullet. In fact, it may be only about 50% effective.

A COVID-19 Vaccine May Be Only 50% Effective. Is That Good Enough?

12:30pm September 12, 2020

by Allison Aubrey

Scientists are racing to develop a vaccine that proves "safe and effective." It may not prevent infection in everyone who gets it, but it still could eventually stop the pandemic. Here's how.

Dr. Scott Atlas is President Trump's new coronavirus adviser. His ideas are sometimes at odds with those of public health professionals.

President Trump's New COVID-19 Adviser Is Making Public Health Experts Nervous

1:32pm September 04, 2020

Dr. Scott Atlas is a radiologist from Stanford with some unorthodox ideas about managing the pandemic. The White House says his thinking is just what's needed, but scientists aren't so sure.

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A nurse holds a COVID-19 vaccine candidate produced by Chinese company Sinovac Biotech at the São Lucas Hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on Aug. 8.

COVID-19 May Never Go Away — With Or Without A Vaccine

11:06am August 09, 2020

The virus might eventually behave more like the common cold, according to Vineet Menachery, a coronavirus researcher at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

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