Source: Brownstone Institute
by Jennifer Smith
“Public health discussions often emphasize vaccination because it can increase immunity without requiring large numbers of people to become ill at the same time. Proponents of vaccines believe that without vaccination, immunity would build more gradually through infection, which can allow ongoing transmission and lead to higher levels of illness and complications. For this reason, the concept of herd immunity is more complex than simple visual models suggest and depends on timing, population dynamics, and the characteristics of the disease itself. It’s also important to recognize that herd immunity is not permanent.” (08/30/26)