Model How Herd Immunity Works

Here's how.

Active Time

30-45 minutes

Total Project Time

30-45 minutes

Key Concepts

Herd immunity, infectious disease

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ6IJOLaIyI

Introduction

Have you ever wondered why you need to get a flu shot regularly? The vaccine protects you from getting sick with the flu, which is an infectious disease. Such diseases, like the flu or COVID-19, can easily spread through a population and cause a pandemic by making many people sick. Measures such as social distancing can reduce the risk of catching the disease, but real protection only comes from gaining immunity against the disease. This is the reason for vaccinations—to make someone immune to a specific disease. In this activity, you will find out how immunizations can limit the spread of an infectious disease up to a point where the whole population is protected through herd immunity.

Credits

Svenja Lohner, PhD, Science Buddies

This activity is not appropriate for use as a science fair project. Good science fair projects have a stronger focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data. To find a science fair project that is just right for you, browse our library of over 1,200 Science Fair Project Ideas or use the Topic Selection Wizard to get a personalized project recommendation.

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