2 to 3 Years Needed for COVID-19 Herd Immunity

Academician Zhong Nanshan: "China 83.3%, Asia 80.2%, Europe 96.2% Vaccination Needed to Achieve Herd Immunity"
Two COVID-19 Community Infections Reported in Anhui Province, China After About a Month

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] It is projected that it will take 2 to 3 years to form herd immunity against COVID-19.

According to the state-run Global Times in China on the 14th, Zhong Nanshan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, made this statement after explaining China's COVID-19 situation and vaccination status at the 'Asia Science Committee Conference' held in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province the day before. Zhong is regarded as the top authority on respiratory diseases in China.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the conference, Zhong emphasized that the best way to achieve herd immunity is through mass vaccination, adding, "Global cooperation over 2 to 3 years is necessary for herd immunity." Regarding herd immunity through natural infection, he criticized it as an "unrealistic, unscientific, and inhumane method," noting that it would mean 70-80% of the world's population getting infected and a 5% death rate.

He also presented the vaccination rates required to achieve herd immunity. Assuming a vaccine efficacy of 70%, China would need 83.3% of its population vaccinated, while Asia and Europe would require 80.2% and 96.2%, respectively. Globally, 89.2% of the population must be vaccinated to reach herd immunity, Zhong explained. He added that differences arise by continent due to demographic factors such as population density and age distribution.

He stressed, "No country is safe until all countries are safe," and emphasized, "To reduce the negative impact of COVID-19, herd immunity through vaccination must be achieved as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, the Anhui Provincial Health Commission in China announced on the 14th that one confirmed case was reported each in Hefei and Lu'an. This marks the occurrence of community infections in China for the first time in over a month since a community infection was confirmed in Yunnan Province near the Myanmar border on the 20th of last month.