Herd immunity not an option in nation as big as India, says Centre

Given the size of India’s population, herd immunity “cannot be a strategic choice or option”, the health ministry said on Thursday as it urged people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour till a vaccine is developed.

When asked if India was approaching herd immunity against the infection, Officer on Special Duty in the  ministry Rajesh Bhushan said herd immunity happens only when a population becomes immune either through vaccination or immunity is developed through a previous infection.  “In a country with the size of the population like India, herd immunity cannot be a strategic choice or option. It can only be an outcome,