Herd Immunity

[HuckleB]

There seems to be some bizarre posts being made about herd immunity at DU. Thus, I decided to post (what I consider to be) a very good and fair piece on the matter. In addition, I am offering a link to a study that concluded that flu vaccination benefits the community as a whole. Herd immunity does not mean everyone is protected, of course. And, well, I'll let the matter sit there, as these pieces stand on their own, IMO.


Here's the link to the lengthy piece on Herd Immunity:
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=516

For further reading:

Effect of Influenza Vaccination of Children on Infection Rates in Hutterite Communities
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/303/10/943?home

Herd immunity and herd effect: new insights and definitions
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11078115

[MineralMan]

1. Thanks for your posts!

[HuckleB]

4. You're welcome.

And here's thanks in return. I enjoy your offerings!

[uppityperson]

2. But but but..... k&r with thanks.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

3. Thank you!

Good grief!

[pinto]

5. Interesting articles. The first is an especially good overview of herd immunity, as well as

vaccine efficacy, role of asymptomatic 'carriage' as a vector and a bit of vaccine history.

Thanks for the post.

[HuckleB]

6. You are welcome. The author did a great job on that piece.

:hi:

[EvolveOrConvolve]

7. I recced your post (something I rarely do)

Because I think people need a better understanding of the concept of herd immunity (especially what it is not). The SBM article is one of the best I've read on the subject.

[HuckleB]

8. It's much appreciated, especially since this thread has garnered quite a few unrecs.

Apparently, this is information is dangerous to some.

:rofl:

[beam me up scottie]

9. Added a rec to make up for an un.

You're offending people who could just as easily google or wiki it if they really wanted to know.

Keep it up! :applause:

[TZ]

10. The ugly truth is people who say that being vaccinated or not

is a personal choice are being EXTREMELY selfish and are dangerous to chronically ill people.

[HuckleB]

11. Exactly!

:toast:

[semillama]

12. K&R

One thing I think about herd immunity that pisses off anti-vaxxers is that it's such a strong argument for vaccination, and attempts to counter or oppose the concept invariably end up with the person arguing against it coming off as a heartless buffoon.