Which of the following statements is/are correct with reference to the “herd immunity”?

Which of the following statements is/are correct with reference to the “herd immunity”?

A. It is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when immunity develops in a population either through vaccination or through previous infection.

B. It exists when individuals who are not immune, but live in a community with a high proportion of immunity, have a reduced risk of disease as compared to non-immune individuals living in a community with a small proportion of immunity.

C. Both A & B

D. None of these

Explanation:

Living organisms including humans have all heard of immunity that results in a dramatic reduction of daily cases. Does “herd immunity” really protect from subsequent waves? The answer is not a simple yes or no. It depends on how widespread the virus is in a community and its transmission rate. ‘Herd immunity’, also known as ‘population immunity’, is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when immunity develops in a population either through vaccination or through previous infection. Instead, herd immunity exists when individuals who are not immune, but live in a community with a high proportion of immunity, have a reduced risk of disease as compared to non-immune individuals living in a community with a small proportion of immunity.