75% of the UK population could now have antibodies
A study from University College London (UCL) has suggested that the UK population is on the cusp of reaching herd immunity in the battle against Covid-19.
According to researchers at the university, up to three-quarters of the population will have antibodies in their system as a result of either vaccines or previous infection by Monda. This would represent a key threshold in halting the virus’s spread throughout the population.
However, some scientists have argued that there are still too many unknowns ahead to say that the end of the pandemic is near.
The UK has already seen a stark drop in Covid infections and in particular deaths over recent weeks, and the government will continue on its roadmap out of lockdown on Monday when non-essential retail, gyms, and outdoor hospitality are all allowed to reopen.
Some experts have criticised the UCL model though, saying that it underestimates the extent to which immunity may wane and the prospect of new variants and the effectiveness of the vaccine against these. Imperial College London for example estimate that no more than 40% of the country have protection from Covid.
Anne Cori, a lecturer at Imperial College London, said: ““There’s a lot of uncertainty about the length of immunity, both vaccine immunity and natural immunity.
“If immunity is waning, you might lose herd immunity after you reach it.”
Herd immunity is defined by the World Health Organisation as “the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infection.”
Even though the level to which the UK has reached this point, or if herd immunity can ever truly be achieved, is up for debate, everyone is in agreement about the significance that vaccines have played in helping drive levels of infection down. For now we can only continue to get the jab, wear masks, and be sensible over the coming weeks.
