'Herd immunity' gives way to 'good enough' as Biden sets new benchmark for vaccines
ABC News
President Biden's announcement that he wants 70% of Americans to get at least one shot by July 4 seems to abandon once and for all the much coveted goal of herd immunity.
President Joe Biden's new benchmark in the fight against COVID-19 -- ensuring 70% of American adults to get at least one shot by July 4 -- seems to be a tacit acknowledgement of what scientists have been saying now for months: Eradicating the virus that causes COVID-19 might not be possible. But if enough Americans get some protection, it'll become manageable. That approach is being embraced by scientists and politicians alike as a considerably more pragmatic approach to dealing with COVID-19 than the idea of waiting on "herd immunity," especially considering that a fourth of Americans might never accept the vaccine. "We're going to have highs and lows of case numbers potentially for years, but those are going to be in the population that chooses not to vaccinate," said New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu in a phone interview Tuesday. Since the pandemic began, Americans have embraced the idea that the virus would one day evaporate, either because enough people became infected with the virus or received a vaccine. That collective, or "herd," immunity would block the virus from transmitting to new people, eradicating the threat.More Related News