Role of Herd Immunity in SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Control
Author(s): Mayank Yadav, Swarupa Chakole and K Himabindu Reddy*
Abstract
Introduction: The coronavirus disease is also known as COVID-19. It is caused by an infectious from SARS-CoV-2 virus. Population affected usually have less severe respiratory symptoms, it is minimal to moderate and doesn't require any specific medical care. However, some will become seriously ill and needs special treatment. The steep increase in amount of positive cases of COVID-19 around the world rendered health officials to find the best way to protect people from the disease; with this “herd immunity” was frequently cited and considered as long term solution of the pandemic. WHO suggests herd immunity should be achieve through immunization by vaccine and not by permitting expansion of disease through any segment of population as it is scientifically problematic, unethical, dangerous, irrational and can be fatal.
Objectives: Study aims, to provide a review of relevant and authorized data on the herd immunity’s importance in COVID-19 disease. This review will provide information about herd immunity, difficulties and problems, its effect in COVID-19.
Methodology: A comprehensive review was undertaken by searching the Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane, Research gate, Web of Science, for literatures and articles published on herd immunity and COVID-19. Database search terms included keywords such as Herd Immunity, COVID-19 virus and disease, SARS-CoV-2, vaccination, immunity and immunization. By combining these words variety of terms have been searched and literatures were accessed.
Discussion: COVID-19 has created global burden and novel challenges. World has been facing lots of difficulties in different domains medical, psychological, social, economic etc. every aspect has been disturbed. It has created urge or necessity to achieve some kind of protection or exit strategies. With the rise of pandemic and difficulties created by it herd immunity has been one of the most common term which is widely searched and been interest of topic among researchers. As herd immunity has been reliable source for eradication of various deadliest diseases before.
Conclusion: Herd immunity has been proven effective before but the challenge this time world facing is far more lethal and fatal. Relying on herd immunity, especially which has been achieving with natural infection with exposure of population isn’t best strategy. As it has lots of drawbacks and most importantly it can cause human life it is unrealistic goal. However if it achieved with vaccination it can be found beneficial and can serve as exit strategy but the strength and duration of immunity achieved would still be unknown. Further studies on large scale with larger number of population are necessary for better understanding.