Herd immunity is a “get-it-over-with” solution that is likely to cause more fatalities

As we all take different precautionary measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, one thing remains constant: the search for a cure. Scientists and medical experts from around the world are working hard to create the vaccine that can end this pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set up multi-country clinical trials in search for an effective treatment. President Duterte has even announced a P50 million cash reward to any Filipino who can create a vaccine against the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, another possible solution has been gaining traction: herd immunity. What this means is that a majority of the population must become immune to the virus, which will eventually result in lesser to zero chances of transmissibility.

In other words, majority of the population has to get infected, recover and consequently become immune to the disease. So yes, by definition, herd immunity risks the lives of many people in the hopes that it will result in more recoveries than added cases. Many have also considered it as the  “lesser evil” in the face of collapsing economies and damaged livelihoods.

Sweden has taken on this risk. They have resisted a lockdown and instead, allowed exposure to the virus to develop immunity among the general population while protecting high-risk people like the elderly and the sick. In an interview with CBNC, Dr. Anders Tegnell, the chief epidemiologist of Sweden’s Public Health Agency said that this strategy has been effective as 20 percent of Sweden’s infected are already immune. Tegnell believes that in a few weeks time, they may already achieve herd immunity.

However, scientists are still debating whether or not Sweden’s decision is right. The lack of stringent measures proves a greater risk for the sick and elderly to get infected and there has yet to be a significant plateau for added cases±and with a death toll of 1,937 at that.

Herd immunity is usually effective when a vaccine has been found, as in the case of measles or polio. Presently, scientists are uncertain whether or not immunity after recovery is even possible, as there have been reports of reinfection in some countries. There is also no information on how long a body can be immune to the virus. 

In an interview with Time Magazine, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, there are still many research gaps about COVID-19 itself that resorting to a high-risk solution is not recommended. 

Taking this risk is also certainly not for third-world countries. Herd immunity as a solution to COVID-19 relies on recoveries. If there aren’t enough facilities to secure and treat those with the disease, then this can only lead to more fatalities. In the case of the Philippines, a country of vulnerable communities and shortages in treatment facilities, herd immunity should not even be considered. 

[READ: Five hospitals in Metro Manila have now declared full capacity amid COVID-19 outbreak]

Time will only tell if Sweden actually found the solution to this pandemic through herd immunity. But with a lack of sufficient information, shortage of treatment facilities, and higher risk of infection among vulnerable communities, this strategy may only lead to more fatalities. Scientists and researchers say that it’s best to stick to social distancing measures while waiting for a vaccine, with more than 500 United Kingdom doctors signing a letter that denounced herd immunity as a viable option.

“We will not get to herd immunity in the close future, in the next year or two, but the preventive measures that we’re taking now are buying us time to develop a vaccine that we can hopefully use to immunize ourselves and get herd immunity that way,” said Gypsyamber D’Souza, a professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, to Time Magazine.

With a deadly virus like this, herd immunity and its “get sick, and be sure to recover!” mentality—a somewhat “just-to-get-it-over-with” solution—should not be a risk we’re willing to take especially when it’s a matter of putting thousands of lives at stake.

Header photo courtesy of Inquirer.net

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