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Review
. 1985;318(6044):323-9.
doi: 10.1038/318323a0.

Vaccination and herd immunity to infectious diseases

R M Anderson, R M May
Review

Vaccination and herd immunity to infectious diseases

R M Anderson et al. Nature. 1985.

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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