Quantifying the impact of individual and collective compliance with infection control measures for ethical public health policy

Roberts, Daniel; Jamrozik, Euzebiusz; Heriot, G; Slim, Anja C.; Selgelid, Michael J.; Miller, Joel C.

doi:10.1126/sciadv.abn7153

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…not absent) at high levels of herd immunity where the risk is small -although this arguably ignores overdetermination. 20 More broadly, this view will partly turn on empirical estimates of risk to others, which might not track herd immunity in a purely linear manner, [20][21][22] and these empirical aspects of the problem arguably warrant further investigation. In any case, the scalar view significantly deflates any special moral claim attributed to the HIT or elimination, even for diseases that are, in principle, amenable to elimination via herd immunity.…”

Section: Original Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Where herd immunity refers to the indirect protection of vulnerable individuals by people with immunity, this entails a moral obligation to contribute to the reduction of risk for this group, although on the scalar view one might think that this obligation becomes weaker (though not absent) at high levels of herd immunity where the risk is small - although this arguably ignores overdetermination. 20 More broadly, this view will partly turn on empirical estimates of risk to others, which might not track herd immunity in a purely linear manner, 20–22 and these empirical aspects of the problem arguably warrant further investigation. In any case, the scalar view significantly deflates any special moral claim attributed to the HIT or elimination, even for diseases that are, in principle, amenable to elimination via herd immunity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Herd immunity, vaccination and moral obligation

2023

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The public health benefits of herd immunity are often used as the justification for coercive vaccine policies. Yet, ‘herd immunity’ as a term has multiple referents, which can result in ambiguity, including regarding its role in ethical arguments. The term ‘herd immunity’ can refer to (1) the herd immunity threshold, at which models predict the decline of an epidemic; (2) the percentage of a population with immunity, whether it exceeds a given threshold or not; and/or (3) the indirect benefit afforded by collective immunity to those who are less immune. Moreover, the accumulation of immune individuals in a population can lead to two different outcomes: elimination (for measles, smallpox, etc) or endemic equilibrium (for COVID-19, influenza, etc). We argue that the strength of a moral obligation for individuals to contribute to herd immunity through vaccination, and by extension the acceptability of coercion, will depend on how ‘herd immunity’ is interpreted as well as facts about a given disease or vaccine. Among other things, not all uses of ‘herd immunity’ are equally valid for all pathogens. The optimal conditions for herd immunity threshold effects, as illustrated by measles, notably do not apply to the many pathogens for which reinfections are ubiquitous (due to waning immunity and/or antigenic variation). For such pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, mass vaccination can only be expected to delay rather than prevent new infections, in which case the obligation to contribute to herd immunity is much weaker, and coercive policies less justifiable.

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Section: Original Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Herd immunity, vaccination and moral obligation

2023

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Phylogenomic analyses provide insights into primate evolution

Shao

Zhou

Fang

et al. 2023

Science

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Comparative analysis of primate genomes within a phylogenetic context is essential for understanding the evolution of human genetic architecture and primate diversity. We present such a study of 50 primate species spanning 38 genera and 14 families, including 27 genomes first reported here, with many from previously less well represented groups, the New World monkeys and the Strepsirrhini. Our analyses reveal heterogeneous rates of genomic rearrangement and gene evolution across primate lineages. Thousands of genes under positive selection in different lineages play roles in the nervous, skeletal, and digestive systems and may have contributed to primate innovations and adaptations. Our study reveals that many key genomic innovations occurred in the Simiiformes ancestral node and may have had an impact on the adaptive radiation of the Simiiformes and human evolution.

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Antimicrobial resistance as a global public health threat: the way forward

Tizhe,

Ogra,

Apollos

et al. 2024

Eureka: LS

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Increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacterial and fungal pathogens pose a significant threat to public health, as it reduces the effectiveness of antibiotic and other antimicrobial drugs, making the control of infections difficult or almost impossible. This condition arises when microorganisms evolve and develop adaptive mechanisms to withstand the effects of the drugs which are designed to kill them. The emergence and spread of these antimicrobial pathogens that have acquired new resistance mechanisms continue to endanger and undermine efforts to treat common infections. As a result, an increase in morbidity and mortality due to bacterial and fungal infections has been observed with a ripple effect of economic hardship. The primary drivers of AMR include misuse and abuse in human, animal and the environment. To address this threat, it is important to have a good understanding of the cause, consequences, as well as the potential control strategies. Due to the cause and nature of AMR, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary in combating the threat posed by this condition. Some of the strategies through which AMR can be combatted include public health awareness, proper antibiotic use, accurate diagnosis, and research into the development of newer antimicrobial agents and alternative treatments. Additionally, the use of improved surveillance and monitoring systems are important in tracking patterns of resistance and provide guide towards the development of effective intervention strategies. Hence, this review focused on bacterial and fungal resistance to increase awareness and the way forward on this growing threat to human existence

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Quantifying the impact of individual and collective compliance with infection control measures for ethical public health policy

Cited by 3 publications

References 30 publications

Herd immunity, vaccination and moral obligation

Herd immunity, vaccination and moral obligation

Phylogenomic analyses provide insights into primate evolution

Antimicrobial resistance as a global public health threat: the way forward

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