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Herd immunity is closer than you think

Bill Emmott
Bill Emmott • 5 min read
Herd immunity is closer than you think
When will the world reach the 80% vaccination target needed to produce herd immunity against Covid-19?
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When will the world have vaccinated 80% of all adults, the level presumed by scientists to produce herd immunity against Covid-19? Most people’s answer is 2023 or 2024, which suggests deep pessimism about the progress of vaccinations outside the rich world. That is also why pledges at the recent G7 summit to donate one billion doses to poor countries during this year and in 2022 look to some like generous game-changers.

But despair is the wrong sentiment and self-congratulation by the G7 is the wrong reaction. If the current daily rate of vaccinations can be maintained, the world can reach its vaccination goal by January 2022.

Towards effective action

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