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(CNN) – The Director General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that exposing people to the virus to achieve herd immunity “is not an option.”
“Allowing a dangerous virus that we do not fully understand to be released is simply unethical,” Tedros said, adding that herd immunity is a “concept used for vaccination.”
“For example, herd immunity against measles requires that around 95% of the population be vaccinated. The remaining 5% will be protected by the fact that measles will not spread among those who are vaccinated, ”said Tedros. “In other words, herd immunity is achieved by protecting people from a virus, not exposing them to it.”
“Never in the history of public health has herd immunity been used as a strategy to respond to an outbreak, much less a pandemic. It is scientifically and ethically problematic, “he added.
Allowing the virus to circulate uncontrollably “means allowing unnecessary infection, suffering and death,” Tedros said.
This story was first published on CNN.com, “Achieve herd immunity” by protecting people from a virus, not exposing them to it, “says WHO director-general.”
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