What is Herd Immunity? Definition and Facts

Kapanlagi.com - Various measures have been taken to break the chain of coronavirus spread. Such as urging for social distancing or maintaining distance between individuals to reduce the risk of transmission. Or there is also a lockdown or quarantine in certain areas. However, the term herd immunity has emerged as one of the ways to deal with the coronavirus covid-19.

Just like the terms pandemic, social distancing, and lockdown, herd immunity may still be unfamiliar to the general public. So it's no wonder that many people are curious about what herd immunity is.

How can herd immunity be seen as one of the solutions to address the spread of the coronavirus covid-19? Here are some facts about herd immunity:

1. What is Herd Immunity?

The term herd immunity may still be unfamiliar to most people. It is actually a term that already exists in the medical world.

Herd immunity, or literally translated as group immunity, is a condition where a certain group of people has immunity to a virus or disease.

2. How to Achieve Herd Immunity

How to Achieve Herd Immunity (credit: pixabay)

Herd immunity can occur when a virus or disease has spread to the community. But only a small percentage of the population is infected with the virus or disease.

In addition to vaccination, herd immunity can also be achieved if most of the people infected with the virus or disease then recover. This is because the bodies of those who have recovered have antibodies that can fend off the virus or disease if it attacks again in the future.

However, obtaining natural immunity will certainly take time. In addition, the risks involved are not small. It is possible that during the process of achieving herd immunity, there will be many casualties.

3. Example of Herd Immunity

According to alodokter.com, one example of herd immunity is polio vaccination. Currently, polio vaccine is given massively to children with the aim of providing immunity to all children against this virus-induced paralysis disease.

The polio vaccine given to children will become antibodies or an immune system against the virus. So, if the virus that causes polio attacks in the future, the person will have an adequate immune system.

4. Pros and Cons of Herd Immunity for Corona Virus in Indonesia

Pro and Cons of Herd Immunity (credit: pixabay)

Pros and Cons of Herd Immunity for Corona Virus in Indonesia
Currently, the Indonesian government still encourages its citizens to practice social distancing. The Indonesian government has not yet considered the option of lockdown, let alone herd immunity.

Currently, herd immunity itself is still a subject of debate. This is because, so far, a vaccine for the corona virus COVID-19 has not been found. Therefore, if herd immunity is to be pursued to fight the corona virus COVID-19, the second method will be used.

Meaning, the corona virus COVID-19 will be allowed to spread in the community until the community develops immunity naturally.
However, as you know, the uneven distribution of healthcare facilities in Indonesia makes herd immunity unsuitable to be implemented in Indonesia.

In addition, there are still many vulnerable groups in Indonesia who are at high risk of being infected with the corona virus COVID-19, such as those with diabetes, chronic lung disease, hypertension, and others. Therefore, it would be detrimental and unlikely to succeed if implemented in Indonesia.

So, it is not surprising that herd immunity currently creates pros and cons among the public.

5. Countries that Implement Herd Immunity

Countries Implementing Herd Immunity (credit: pixabay)

Although still being debated, it turns out that there are countries that have implemented herd immunity as a way to deal with the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19.

Quoted from katadata.co.id, the United Kingdom was the first country to implement herd immunity to face the coronavirus COVID-19. When implementing herd immunity, the UK kept schools and other public facilities open.

However, herd immunity implemented in the UK actually led to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. As a result, the UK changed its policy to social distancing.

In addition to the UK, the Netherlands also tried the option of herd immunity. Not much different from the UK, the Netherlands also failed to implement herd immunity for the coronavirus COVID-19. This is because of the condition of the population who likes to travel, ultimately transmitting the virus to vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children.

Until now, after the failure of the UK and the Netherlands to implement herd immunity, there is only one country that has tried this option. That country is Sweden. This Scandinavian country is currently trying its luck with the implementation of herd immunity.

Those are some facts related to herd immunity. Hopefully, it can broaden your knowledge and answer your curiosity about herd immunity.

(kpl/psp)