Oldjohnw wrote:My understanding with this another vaccinations is that if the number of those vaccinated is below a certain critical level the virus still has scope to find hosts. It can then mutate to survive - that's what viruses do - and sooner or later it will get around a vaccine.
The more virus there is the greater the chance of new variants. I wouldn't agree that anything such as greater pathogenicity or vaccine escape is inevitable.
And there's an international aspect to this. Gloating about lower vaccination rates in eg other European countries is misguided as well as nasty.
Oldjohnw wrote:And there's always a small number for whom it doesn't work: we already know it is not 100% effective.
Yes. The early vaccines have been staggeringly effective but we should expect less than 100% efficacy in the foreseeable future.
Oldjohnw wrote:My understanding with this another vaccinations is that if the number of those vaccinated is below a certain critical level the virus still has scope to find hosts. It can then mutate to survive - that's what viruses do - and sooner or later it will get around a vaccine.
That's one of the places where that national debate and understanding is needed... what's the intended endgame... eradication, control, control by population immunity?
Oldjohnw wrote:Then those who are vaccine refusers will say, "See, I told you it didn't work!".
I'd separate those who are opposed to vaccination and those who are hesitant...
... getting the logic to "See, I told you it didn't work!" would at least imply some form of engagement in discussion...
Jonathan