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Vaccination and herd immunity to infectious diseases
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  • Review Article
  • Published: 28 November 1985

Vaccination and herd immunity to infectious diseases

  • Roy M. Anderson1 &
  • Robert M. May1 na1 

Nature volume 318, pages 323–329 (1985)Cite this article

  • 30k Accesses

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Abstract

An understanding of the relationship between the transmission dynamics of infectious agents and herd immunity provides a template for the design of effective control programmes based on mass immunization. Mathematical models of the spread and persistence of infection provide important insights into the problem of how best to protect the community against disease.

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Author notes

  1. Robert M. May: Biology Department, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Imperial College, London University, London, SW7 2BB, UK

    Roy M. Anderson & Robert M. May

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Anderson, R., May, R. Vaccination and herd immunity to infectious diseases. Nature 318, 323–329 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/318323a0

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  • Issue Date: 28 November 1985

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/318323a0

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