Understanding How Herd Immunity Can Save Lives
People around the world are still contracting the coronavirus, with much more concerned about potential infection. Research experts are in the development phases of a vaccine, but there are still no guarantees of when such a product will be released to the public. The expert advice of a health insurance broker Santa Rosa suggests a quality healthcare plan to help with costs of medical attention should you contract the virus, but there are ways to reduce the potential for infection. Herd immunity has become the focus of many public health experts and politicians as communities struggle to slow the spread.
Using Natural Immunity to Slow a Disease
The body has a natural ability to fight off infection using antibodies that have developed through immunization against a disease or from having recovered from a disease. According to experts in the medical community, when there are enough individuals in a population that have developed immunity, it extends protection to those who have never contracted the disease. This effect is known as herd immunity. There is a higher resistance to catching the germ since fewer individuals are carriers or infected across the population.
Protecting the Vulnerable Through the Herd
For years, herd immunity has reduced the spread of deadly diseases like tuberculosis and polio. As vaccinations have developed for some of the most threatening diseases, it has been a common practice to have children vaccinated throughout their infant and elementary years. As a result, herd immunity has helped eradicate mass outbreaks of measles, smallpox, and pneumococcal infections. Older adults, those with underlying health conditions, and newborns are considered the medically fragile of the greater population, and the herd immunity that develops from immunized children and adults establishes a layer of protection for these demographics.
Realizing the Limitations of Herd Immunity
There are areas of illness where herd immunity does not apply. For many of these infectious diseases, the way a germ spreads or the unique properties of a vaccine are significant factors in understanding reduced application. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly transmissible bacteria that can be passed between two people whether or not an individual has been vaccinated. Those vaccinated experience no symptoms, while those without immunization fall ill. For this reason, it is important for all individuals to get vaccinated. Many of the plans offered by a health insurance broker Santa Rosa include coverage for immunizations.
Looking for Herd Immunity With COVID-19
As the world still fights against COVID-19, many are hopeful that herd immunity will be a key way of halting new cases of infection. Data from the Center for Disease Control shows that many who have contracted diseases with properties of coronaviruses didn’t have a recurring infection with the virus in the timeframe soon after, but it is still too early to see if this will be true of the current pandemic. Current nationwide testing includes both a test for those who have an active infection and a test for the presence of COVID-19 antibodies.
While there are still many unanswered questions concerning COVID-19 and herd immunity, you don’t have to be without healthcare protection from other immunizations. For more information on how to insure your health needs, contact the health insurance experts at 707-823-3689.
