What is Herd Immunity?
What is Community/ Herd Immunity? Why should you get the flu shot even if you don’t usually get the flu?
‘I don’t need the flu shot,’ you might say, ‘I never get the flu.’
‘I got the flu shot and felt sick afterwards.’
‘The flu isn’t a big deal, I can handle it.’
These are all things people say when rationalizing why they don’t get the flu shot. So why do we so strongly promote that everyone get vaccinated? It comes down to social responsibility.
The answer is community/herd immunity. Immunologists define herd immunity as the protection of the weak and vulnerable when enough of the population is vaccinated. Therefore this ultimately helps shield them from infection.
Certain individuals can not be vaccinated. Children younger than 6 months are too young to get a flu shot.1 Or people with severe, life-threatening allergies to flu vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine also cannot be vaccinated. This might include gelatin, antibiotics or other ingredients.2 Those who have an egg allergy or a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome must talk to their doctor first.
“Herd immunity is the idea that if I’m the one cow who can’t get vaccinated surrounded by all the other cows who did, then they can’t give me anything,” says Cindy Modie, supervisor of vaccine services at the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. “So I’m safe as long as I’m in the middle of the herd.”
Healthy individuals are putting themselves, and others, at risk if they choose to not get immunized. They are increasing the chances of transmitting a potentially fatal virus to some of the most vulnerable members of the community.3
Some people are more vulnerable to the flu and complications from the flu. This includes young children, adults aged 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people certain chronic medical conditions. This can result in hospitalization and sometimes results in death. Individuals who are not vaccinated, and carrying the flu virus, could pass the flu on to these people.
Take the time to go and get your flu shot, or bring the flu shot to work with an on-site flu clinic. Visit our Fall Flu Clinic page for more details.
Footnotes
[1] CDC
[2] CDC
[3] Personal Health News