#Search mirror IFRAME: https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-M3TH25P mirrorLoad mobile navigation * Xmas Appeal * Football * News + UK News + US News + World News + Latest News + Weird News + Crime + Real Life Stories + Science + Health + Motoring Expand * Celebs * TV * Politics * Sport + Boxing + Rugby + Tennis + UFC + WWE + Cricket + Racing + Women In Sport + Golf + F1 + Other Sports o Rugby League o Athletics Expand Expand * Film * Royals * Weird News * Tech * Money * Travel + Africa + Asia & Middle East + Australia & New Zealand + Caribbean + Central & South America + Cheap Flights + Cruises + Europe + News + UK & Ireland + USA & Canada Expand * In Your Area * Fashion * Mums * Competitions * Betting * Quizzes * Voucher codes + NOW TV discount code + Domino's discount code + River Island discount code + Just Eat discount code + Amazon discount code Expand * Got a Story? (BUTTON) * Follow us * * * * * Shop * Voucher Codes * Offers * Bingo * Dating * Jobs * Funeral Notices * Horoscopes * Cartoons * Crosswords * Marketplace * Find a job * InYourArea * MemoryLane * Discount Codes * Psychic * Find a local business * Shop * footie5 * Sports Betting & Casino * Play Mirror Bingo * About Us * Contact Us * Work for us * Follow Us * Sell Your Story * How to Complain * Corrections & Clarifications * Privacy Notice * Cookie Notice * Terms and Conditions * Notifications and alerts help * Subscribe to Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror newspapers * Subscribe to tablet edition * Newsletters Signup * Irish Mirror * © 2020 MGN Limited 1. Home 2. News 3. UK News 4. Coronavirus News Coronavirus: What is herd immunity and how will it help protect us from Covid-19? With Boris Johnson's government stepping up the UK's response to the coronavirus pandemic to the delay phase, the term 'herd immunity' is likely to become more common mirror * Share * * * * * * * Comments By Dave StubbingsSEO Editor * 14:22, 12 MAR 2020 * Updated17:35, 12 MAR 2020 News [javascript] [image.jpg] Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to playTap to play The video will auto-play soon8Cancel Play now Get our daily coronavirus email newsletter with all the news you need to know direct to your inbox ____________________ (BUTTON) Sign up When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy notice Invalid Email Herd immunity is a phrase that is likely to be discussed more widely in the coming days and weeks. It’s one of the ways the government is planning to reduce the impact of coronavirus which has so far killed 10 people in the UK and infected 590. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Thursday that his government has decided to escalate the UKʼs response to the crisis from contain to delay. The delay phase involves the potential closure of schools and postponing or even cancelling large events. But it’s also expected that during this period, we’ll hear the term ‘herd immunity’ on a more regular basis. So what does it mean? What is herd immunity? The government is expected to increase the UKʼs coronavirus response from the contain phase to delay The government is expected to increase the UKʼs coronavirus response from the contain phase to delay (Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Read More Related Articles * Coronavirus LIVE updates: Government holds COBRA meeting as pandemic spreads Read More Related Articles * Coronavirus: Care home chain with 11,000 residents asks visitors keep away Herd immunity is when a large number of people have become immune to an infection. This is achieved by our bodies developing enough antibodies to fight a disease. If the number of immune people dominates the population then it reduces the chances of an epidemic as those who catch the disease will be surrounded by people who canʼt be infected. People can become immune to a disease through vaccination or by recovery. At present there’s no vaccine for Covid-19 so recovery is the only option available. What’s the government’s plan? Coronavirus prevention * Women more vigilant with hand washing * ʼHandshake alternativesʼ explained * Baby wipes donʼt keep your hands clean * ʼHigh-touchʼ areas to disinfect at home It’s been suggested that another aim of the government’s strategy is to allow the majority of the country to catch the virus at some point but at a slower rate. The decreased speed would allow those who are most at risk - such as elderly people and those with underlying health conditions - and therefore need the most treatment to get that, without putting too much strain on the NHS. The UK’s chief medical officer and chief scientific officer have both judged that the newly-categorised pandemic will spread around the world, making it a constant threat until a vaccine becomes widely available. DailyMirror Follow @DailyMirror More On * Coronavirus * Coronavirus Explained * (BUTTON) News * (BUTTON) all * (BUTTON) Most Read * (BUTTON) Most Recent VehiclesCar number plates which are banned in UK as of 2020 - from the rude to the inappropriateDVLA officials have combed through all possible letter and number combos with the new 20 and 70-plates in an attempt to stop any problem plates from hitting the roads Police release horrendous video of teen being sexually assaulted as they hunt attacker Wiltshire PoliceWARNING: UPSETTING FOOTAGE Wiltshire Police are urging witnesses to come forward after a white middle-aged man wearing a smart black coat with grey or dark trousers and smart shoes sexually assaulted a teenager Queen’s top housekeeper at Sandringham quits after staff's 'Christmas revolt' The QueenPatricia Earl, the Queen's head housekeeper at Sandringham in Norfolk, was "embarrassed" after some servants refused to form a four-week bubble that would allow the monarch and Prince Philip to spend Christmas at the estate, it is claimed New coronavirus app shows your area's chance of moving up or down tiers next week CoronavirusThe ZOE Covid Symptom Study app shows bad news for four "subregions" in Tier 2 lockdown and more bad news for an area seemingly stuck in the toughest Tier 3 - but it contains glimmers of hope, too... Brexit: Boris Johnson says he's willing to not break international law BrexitThe Government says it is willing to scrap parts of the Internal Market Bill which contradict the PM's own "oven ready deal" if progress is made on a Brexit trade deal IranAssassination of Iranian scientist used 'artificial intelligence' camera and machine gunThe “AI hit” on Tehran's nuke mastermind Mohsen Fakhrizadeh took 13 bullets and happened as the camera focused on him, triggering the pick-up mounted rifle soon after Gutted families slam 'scrawny Santa' at 'rip-off' Christmas drive-through event Father ChristmasGuests have accused the Drive Thru Christmas in Manchester as being 'nothing like advertised' with a 'scrawny' Santa and 'soap foam' snow - but some reviews have been positive Prince Harry launches libel action over claims he fell out of touch with Royal Marines Prince HarryThe Duke of Sussex's legal firm Schillings is reported to have filed the action against at the High Court at the end of last month - meanwhile wife Meghan Markle is already involved in an ongoing case against the same newspaper, the Mail on Sunday Mum's horror as she finds live snake coiled around her Christmas tree SnakesRachael Leah Jackson, originally from the UK, came home to find a green tree snake curled around her Christmas tree, saying she 'never had to deal with anything like this in Birkenhead' Brexit: Boris Johnson and EC chief Ursula von der Leyen 'pause' crunch phone call BrexitThe two leaders are taking a break from the marathon chat - a phone call which could decide whether we leave with or without a deal in less than a month * (BUTTON) Most Read * (BUTTON) Most Recent Strictly Come DancingStrictly's Maisie Smith stunned as Khloe Kardashian compliments her legsStrictly Come Dancing hopeful Maisie Smith said she was 'gassed' when Khloe Kardashian called her 'gorgeous' and said she had 'envy worthy' legs Delivery driver left in tears after opening son's heartbreaking letter to Santa Father ChristmasA man who works as a delivery driver for UPS says he opened his son's letter to Father Christmas expecting to see a list of toys, but found a heartbreaking wish instead Katie Price finally finds size 7XL pyjamas for Harvey as he reaches 29 stone Katie PriceKatie Price recently said that her son Harvey needs to shed some of his 29 stone weight or else he'll 'end up dead' Car number plates which are banned in UK as of 2020 - from the rude to the inappropriate VehiclesDVLA officials have combed through all possible letter and number combos with the new 20 and 70-plates in an attempt to stop any problem plates from hitting the roads Police release horrendous video of teen being sexually assaulted as they hunt attacker Wiltshire PoliceWARNING: UPSETTING FOOTAGE Wiltshire Police are urging witnesses to come forward after a white middle-aged man wearing a smart black coat with grey or dark trousers and smart shoes sexually assaulted a teenager Mesut OzilMesut Ozil's Arsenal exit '90 per cent confirmed' ahead of January transfer windowMesut Ozil's Arsenal career could soon be over with Fenerbahce very confident of securing the German's services once the January transfer window opens Assassination of Iranian scientist used 'artificial intelligence' camera and machine gun IranThe “AI hit” on Tehran's nuke mastermind Mohsen Fakhrizadeh took 13 bullets and happened as the camera focused on him, triggering the pick-up mounted rifle soon after Gutted families slam 'scrawny Santa' at 'rip-off' Christmas drive-through event Father ChristmasGuests have accused the Drive Thru Christmas in Manchester as being 'nothing like advertised' with a 'scrawny' Santa and 'soap foam' snow - but some reviews have been positive Full transcript as Mino Raiola confirms Paul Pogba's Manchester United exit Paul PogbaFrance midfielder Paul Pogba confirmed he was struggling at Manchester United earlier this season, when he referred to the international break as a 'breath of fresh air' EastEnders' Adam Woodyatt's son Sam has cameo as Ian Beale's arresting officer EastEndersEastEnders' Adam Woodyatt's son made a surprise cameo on Friday as Ian Beale's arresting officer so they could touch without breaking social distancing rules Top Stories Meet the 'Corrie-cle': Inside life of Coronation Street superfan whose home is shrine to soap Coronation StreetEXCLUSIVE: Andy Steele is a huge fan of Coronation Street and his home has become a shrine to the long-running soap in previous years - take a look at his life as a superfan as the show celebrates its 60th anniversary on Wednesday Shamed Kasabian singer Tom Meighan breaks silence on plans to rebuild life after assaulting partnet Tom MeighanTom Meighan has spoken out about his plans to rebuild his life and career alongside partner Vikki Ager after he was convicted of assaulting her Plasterer misses out on £1m EuroMillions win after girlfriend secretly changes numbers EuromillionsEuroMillions punter Jacob Simon, 32, from Leicester, says he and Chantelle Avossa, 29, have “fallen out a bit” after she switched the numbers he had played all year because they hadn't brought any luck Assassination of Iranian scientist used 'artificial intelligence' camera and machine gun IranThe “AI hit” on Tehran's nuke mastermind Mohsen Fakhrizadeh took 13 bullets and happened as the camera focused on him, triggering the pick-up mounted rifle soon after Prince Harry launches libel action over claims he fell out of touch with Royal Marines Prince HarryThe Duke of Sussex's legal firm Schillings is reported to have filed the action against at the High Court at the end of last month - meanwhile wife Meghan Markle is already involved in an ongoing case against the same newspaper, the Mail on Sunday Dad-of-three took own life at Eden Project after being put at risk of losing his job InquestsMarc Mappley, 48, was told his job in the horticulture science team at the tourist attraction in Cornwall was being put at risk of redundancy during the coronavirus pandemic in July this year Police release horrendous video of teen being sexually assaulted as they hunt attacker Wiltshire PoliceWARNING: UPSETTING FOOTAGE Wiltshire Police are urging witnesses to come forward after a white middle-aged man wearing a smart black coat with grey or dark trousers and smart shoes sexually assaulted a teenager Gutted families slam 'scrawny Santa' at 'rip-off' Christmas drive-through event Father ChristmasGuests have accused the Drive Thru Christmas in Manchester as being 'nothing like advertised' with a 'scrawny' Santa and 'soap foam' snow - but some reviews have been positive Nicola Sturgeon tried to block Kate Middleton and Prince William's Scotland trip Prince WilliamKensington Palace has insisted the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are exempt from Scotland's cross-border travel ban as they are in the country for work purposes Man left devastated after paying £640 for PlayStation 5 that turned out to be a brick PlayStation 5A man in Utah has revealed that he was sent a brick instead of a PlayStation 5 console that he had paid a whopping $878 (£640) for on eBay 'Pregnant' woman rushed to hospital and three arrested after tower block stabbing Kent PolicePolice confirmed the woman was taken to hospital in London after the incident in Maidstone, Kent in which she suffered two stab wounds Paul Pogba's time at Manchester United is officially over, his agent confirms Paul PogbaMino Raiola did not confirm whether the World Cup winner will be looking to leave Man United in the January transfer window, or whether he will stay on until the end of the season * News * Politics * Football * Sport * Celebs * TV * Film * Weird News * Quizzes * Tech * Money * Travel * Fashion * Mums * Motoring Follow us * Follow us * * * * * Marketplace * Find a job * InYourArea * MemoryLane * Discount Codes * Psychic * Find a local business * Shop * footie5 * Sports Betting & Casino * Play Mirror Bingo * About Us Contact Us Work for us Follow Us Sell Your Story How to Complain Corrections & Clarifications Privacy Notice Cookie Notice Terms and Conditions Notifications and alerts help Subscribe to Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror newspapers Subscribe to tablet edition Newsletters Signup Irish Mirror © 2020 MGN Limited