Herd immunity: Can India achieve it?

A number of terms have suddenly become familiar since the pandemic started. One of them is herd immunity. It seems we might be safer if India, as a country, if we can acquire it. There is also much debate around whether that is possible, and what the right way is to achieve herd immunity. Let’s begin by looking at what this term means.  

How do we get herd immunity? 
A population is said to achieve herd immunity when a large percentage of individuals from the overall population become immune to a particular disease. That’s why 'herd immunity' is also known as 'population immunity'. It is an indirect protection (i.e. protection without taking medicines) from an infectious disease that happens when immunity is acquired either through vaccination, or developed by the body’s system through previous infection. A country may achieve it by exposing large parts of the population to the disease till they become immune to it, or by vaccinating a large part of the population. India and the World Health Organization (WHO) support achieving herd immunity through vaccination.  

How do vaccines work to build immunity?  
Vaccines ‘coach’ our body’s immune systems to create proteins. These fight disease and are known as antibodies. Vaccinated people develop protection from the disease and stop passing on the pathogen, breaking the chain of transmission. In short, vaccines make the individual immune, and as less people get infected, herd immunity develops.   

How can India achieve herd immunity?  
India needs to vaccinate a substantial proportion of the country’s entire population as a first step to achieve herd immunity. This would lower the overall amount of virus infections in the country. This is true for all vaccines, not just COVID 19. Many Indians are not aware of flu and pneumonia vaccines, or do not understand their importance, making them open to all types of influenza. Also, people more prone to getting infected, such as doctors and nurses, public service providers, politicians, teachers, shop keepers, drivers and the elderly, need to get 100% vaccinated. Following rules regarding avoiding crowds, wearing masks and maintaining personal hygiene are also important to achieve herd immunity.