Mini ReviewOpen Access

Herd Immunity: A Realistic Target?

Volume 9 - Issue 2

Michael AB Naafs*

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- Dutch Internist-Endocrinologist, Naafs International Health Consultancy, Netherlands
*Corresponding author: Michael AB Naafs, Dutch Internist-Endocrinologist, Health Consultant at Naafs International Health Consultancy, Rhodoslaan 20, 7577KN, Oldenzaal, The Netherlands

Received: September 17, 2018; Published: September 24, 2018

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.09.001779

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Abstract

In this mini-review herd immunity is discussed by reviewing some recent vaccination campaigns for HPV, MEN-C, MEN-W and Ebola. It is concluded that vaccination coverage is rapidly declining due to societal factors, financial and logistical hurdles. Herd immunity depends now on unpredictable herd effects, Secondary declining transmission dynamics and carriage figures favour strong herd effects. Different target populations in the MEN-W vaccination programs of the UK and the Netherlands don’t improve public confidence in an anti-vaxxers climate. Herd immunity is not a realistic target anymore and is dependent on herd effects varying with vaccination coverage percentages and this should be explained to the public in a clear way.

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