Prof Gupta reiterates the fact that all studies show that SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies drop rapidly in populations post exposure.
That means measuring antibodies in any population is no measure of viral spread, nor can it be a barometer of herd immunity.
Crucially, the Biontech lead stated that they track antibody levels in those who have had their vaccine
as the measure of efficacy. Şahin further stated that booster shots may be required if antibody levels wane.
Şahin does not
know if those vaccinated cease to be contagious. [and if you do not cease to be potentially infectious, those labouring under the belief that lockdowns work will continue to beat that drum, mass vaccination or not]
So... the proposal in principle is to ante up $40 for
each vaccine [which has to be stored -70˚
from lab-to-limb to remain effective] even though it may not stop you being a vector for the virus. Still, if a susceptible person has the jab
they shouldn't succumb to the disease, unless
their antibody decay is faster than the average and they are infected with SARS-CoV-2 before the seasonal "top-up".
Circling back to the sum of all herd immunity data we have so far [Oxford University data from Scotland, Santa Clara county, Sweden] , I have a far greater trust in the human body's
natural selection of defense against SARS-CoV-2 than any vaccine offered to date. If SARS-CoV-2 provokes the same natural immune response as SARS did [2003], then the
lasting defence may well be T-cell as per REACH data for that earlier epidemic.
None of the above is "anti-science". None of this is "anti-vaxxer". And the bacofoil remains in the draw until the next baked potato needs to nestle the campfire coals.
A reasonable assay of all data so far is that herd immunity for this corona virus is the same as any other. I remain cynical of the need for a vaccine for
this virus, and specifically cautious about the Pfizer vaccine's net benefit. Not least because global CFR suggests its population has reached stasis
without it.