Herd immunity approach to Covid-19 ‘dangerous fallacy’, researchers warn

People wearing face masks on Oxford Street, London Picture: Victoria Jones/PA

Herd immunity approaches to managing the coronavirus crisis are a “dangerous fallacy unsupported by the scientific evidence”, a group of researchers has warned.

Adopting a herd immunity strategy would not end the pandemic but rather result in recurring epidemics, according to an open letter signed by 80 international researchers published by The Lancet.