Herd immunity when you can get it more then once?

[Girlmama3]

Am I the only one who wonders why they’re so keen on herd immunity when you can catch covid more then once??

I would understand if it was a once only virus but this baffles me.

We will never reach herd immunity with the delta variant
inews.co.uk/news/health/herd-immunity-will-never-be-reached-in-the-uk-but-covid-19-vaccine-protection-is-enough-1089971
The UK will never reach herd immunity from Covid-19 – but it will not need to due to the protection from severe disease coronavirus vaccines give us, a leading scientist has said.

Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, said given the reproductive number – or R number – of the dominant Delta variant is 8, herd immunity would only be reached when around seven-eighths of the population (88 per cent) are protected. And given the Oxford/AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines are slightly less effective against the delta variant the target is out of reach.

He toldi: “The effectiveness of the AstraZeneca vaccine against clinical infection with delta is about 88 per cent and likely effectiveness against asymptomatic infection somewhat less. We do not know the value for all infection for the delta variant but it was 67 per cent for infections in the phase 3 trial pre-delta, so assume 70 per cent.

Therefore to achieve herd immunity 88 per cent would need to be immune – with a vaccine that is only 70 per cent effective you would need to immunise 125 per cent of the UK population. But that is an underestimate because it does look like vaccine and natural immunity wains with time.

“That is why we will never reach herd immunity but we do not need to, as vaccine substantially reduces the danger of getting severe disease on first infection. That is enough. Covid is here to stay but not as we know it, more like the other coronaviruses which are a cause of the common cold.”

Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, said given the reproductive number – or R number – of the dominant Delta variant is 8, herd immunity would only be reached when around seven-eighths of the population (88 per cent) are protected. And given the Oxford/AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines are slightly less effective against the delta variant the target is out of reach

What about those that have had Covid.

I think the more people who have it and get over it then eventually we will reach herd immunity

Places like NZ where they are reliant on vaccines I don’t think will end up opening up properly for years

It is not clear how long natural immunity lasts, maybe only 6 months or less if you have had a very mild infection. In addition new variants will keep cropping up so people will get reinfected.

Managing it like the flu appears to be the only long term solution with a new vaccine designed to manage new variants each year. It will be tougher to manage than the flu though due to the increased transmissability. Delta r is around 8 whereas flu is just 1.3. This means a lot more people will need vaccinating in order to reduce transmission.

We don't know how long it will last - NERVTAG papers (last time I looked) suggested at least 9 months, but I've not looked recently to see if they have updated assessments

Certainly for some there can be a short interval between cases (a few months) but not enough is known to assess whether they are distant outliers or the herald of immunity of only short duration.

Herd immunity through active immunity and vaccinations was how the Spanish flu pandemic ended. Spanish flu does not have a vaccine and is still around today. It just mutated. This is the hope for Covid, it mutates into a less serious version.
With the vaccines the chance of serious Covid is massively reduced, which is what is wanted. Covid isn't going away, it's shown that. Vaccinations and boosters are the way forward.

In the short term it depends how much vaccination+infection reduces the likelihood of transmission.

Then perhaps boosters will have a big effect, but most experts think you'll keep getting reinfected with Covid over the course of your lifetime.

@anon12345678901

Herd immunity through active immunity and vaccinations was how the Spanish flu pandemic ended. Spanish flu does not have a vaccine and is still around today. It just mutated. This is the hope for Covid, it mutates into a less serious version. With the vaccines the chance of serious Covid is massively reduced, which is what is wanted. Covid isn't going away, it's shown that. Vaccinations and boosters are the way forward.

Sorry I meant active immunity, not vaccinations 🤦🏻‍♀️

@anon12345678901

Herd immunity through active immunity and vaccinations was how the Spanish flu pandemic ended. Spanish flu does not have a vaccine and is still around today. It just mutated. This is the hope for Covid, it mutates into a less serious version. With the vaccines the chance of serious Covid is massively reduced, which is what is wanted. Covid isn't going away, it's shown that. Vaccinations and boosters are the way forward.

Perhaps you need to read up on your history before posting rubbish?

It ended because H1N1 (thought to be of avian origin) changed to a variant we had previously come across, so we could fight it off.

Vaccines for flu didn't exist in 1918!

CV is also vascular, a huge difference in how it effects the human body, flu is a respiratory disease.

Perhaps you need to read my addition sweetie which showed I used the wrong word.
We could not fight it with vaccines which is why this virus we have an advantage! Flu is a very deadly disease because it causes pneumonia.
Like it or not the Spanish flu is still around today and it mutated to become the flu we see today. We will not eradicate Covid for a long time, if you think we will reach a case of zero Covid and keep it, you will be very disappointed.

There was a bloke in America that had it twice last year, was ok the first time but had to go to hospital the second. I think he had it in March and June but I may have got those dates wrong as it was quite a while ago that I read about it.

Herd immunity through active immunity and vaccinations was how the Spanish flu pandemic ended. Spanish flu does not have a vaccine and is still around today. It just mutated. This is the hope for Covid, it mutates into a less serious version.
With the vaccines the chance of serious Covid is massively reduced, which is what is wanted. Covid isn't going away, it's shown that. Vaccinations and boosters are the way forward

Dh has already been asked to go back for his booster. At this rate people will need jabbing every 3 months