Changes to COVID-19 vaccination strategy could speed up herd immunity
Researchers in the United States have proposed changes to the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination strategy that they say would increase the likelihood of herd immunity being achieved in the most timely and cost-effective manner.
The team from the University of Colorado School of Medicine suggests prioritizing the vaccination of individuals who have not already acquired immune protection through previous infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; the agent that causes COVID-19).
“Unfortunately, until we can safely, rapidly, and affordably vaccinate enough people to achieve collective immunity, we cannot afford to disregard the benefits of naturally acquired immunity in those whose prior documented infections have already run their course,” writes Matin Krsak and colleagues.