Topic 6.4
How does herd immunity protect both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in a community?
Herd immunity is a powerful protection that benefits an entire community, even those who cannot be vaccinated. By reducing the spread of disease through widespread immunity, either from vaccinations or prior illness, herd immunity creates a safer environment for everyone. Explore how increasing vaccination rates can limit disease outbreaks and protect the most vulnerable through interactive simulations.
Herd Immunity
People can become immune by being sick and getting better or by vaccines. In places where lots of people are already immune to a disease, it is hard for the disease to spread. We call this ‘herd immunity’. Herd immunity can protect people who haven’t been vaccinated, such as young children. The more people that are immune, the more protection there is for everyone. Prof. Robert Booy, a renowned immunologist with over 35 years of research experience, shares his insights on the science and benefits of herd immunity. Across these videos, he explains how vaccines reduce the spread of infectious diseases, protect vulnerable populations, and build community-wide resistance.
Exploring Vaccination and Herd Immunity
Explore how vaccination impacts the spread of disease through interactive scenarios and demonstrate the concept of herd immunity. See what happens when no one is vaccinated, only half the population is vaccinated, and most people are protected. These simulations highlight the power of herd immunity in safeguarding individuals and the community.
Scenario One
1. Everyone stands up and stays within arm’s reach of each other.
One student is chosen to have the disease spread through coughing.
2. This student gets a card with red dot stickers (the diseases) and wears one red sticker to show they are sick.
3. The “sick” student “coughs” by passing the card to someone next to them who wears a red sticker. This process continues until all are infected.
Scenario Two
1. This time, half the class have green stickers. These students are “vaccinated” and protected from the disease. One student is chosen to have the disease spread through coughing.
2. The “sick” student “coughs” and tries to pass the card again.
3. They can’t pass it to anyone with a green sticker.
Scenario Three
1. This time, 90% of the class has green stickers. These students are “vaccinated” and protected from the disease. One student is chosen to have the disease spread through coughing.
2. The “sick” student “coughs” and tries to pass the card again.
3. They can’t pass it to anyone with a green sticker.
Discussion
After participating in the three scenarios, answer the following questions:
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What did you notice about how the disease spread in each scenario?
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How does herd immunity protect the unvaccinated?