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The Conversation USA

What is herd immunity? A public health expert and a medical laboratory scientist explain

  • Written by Rodney E. Rohde, Professor of Clinical Laboratory Science, Texas State University
imageExperts estimate that close to 90% of the U.S. population must be vaccinated to reach herd immunity for COVID-19.David McNew/AFP via Getty Images

The term herd immunity means that enough of a population has gained immunity to stifle a pathogen’s spread. You can think of herd immunity as being similar to fire starting in a field: If the field...

Read more: What is herd immunity? A public health expert and a medical laboratory scientist explain

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