"Most experts suggest herd immunity cannot be achieved safely without a vaccine, because seniors and other vulnerable populations with suppressed immune systems would be at risk, and hospitals would be overwhelmed.
Dr. Allison McGreer, infectious diseases specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, says herd immunity without a vaccine is "theoretically possible" if everyone, or almost everyone, who becomes infected develops antibodies that will protect them for life.
While that might happen, "we don't know that [yet]," said McGreer.
"It would just be foolish to count on it, which is why we're working on vaccines."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/herd-immunit...ered-1.5543071
Dr. Allison McGreer, infectious diseases specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, says herd immunity without a vaccine is "theoretically possible" if everyone, or almost everyone, who becomes infected develops antibodies that will protect them for life.
While that might happen, "we don't know that [yet]," said McGreer.
"It would just be foolish to count on it, which is why we're working on vaccines."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/herd-immunit...ered-1.5543071
"“The problem with (applying herd immunity to COVID-19) is, one, enough people have to actually get the virus and get sick, which results in a considerable loss of life in this particular case,” Labos said.
“The second problem is, we don’t know if immunity from the virus is going to stay long-term or not.”
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/corona...d-19-1.4911422
“The second problem is, we don’t know if immunity from the virus is going to stay long-term or not.”
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/corona...d-19-1.4911422
Not everyone gets the flu whether they get a vaccine or not. There will be loss of life and hospitals will be overwhelmed but eventually what remains of society will if not fully protected be disease intolerant. We might never have a vaccine that even makes a significant impact. It will still be better than no vaccine but it's not reason to continue the lockdown.
