Herd immunity

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/herd-immunity

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary vector?Vaccination is the safest and most effective method for establishing herd immunity
2. What is the public health significance?Essential for protecting vulnerable populations and controlling or eradicating infectious diseases
3. Why do we need herd immunity?It helps keep contagious diseases from spreading, especially to babies, people with weak immune systems, or those who can’t get vaccinated.
4. How many people need to be vaccinated for measles?Measles is very contagious, so about 95% of people need to be immune to stop it from spreading.

Basic Reproduction Number (R0): The average number of secondary infections produced by a single infected individual in a completely susceptible population.
Immune Threshold: The minimum percentage of immune individuals in a population required to prevent sustained disease transmission.
Vaccine Hesitancy: A reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccines, influenced by complex factors.