Combined vaccination and physical distancing enough to prevent future COVID-19 surges

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/uos-cva021921.php

 

News Release 19-Feb-2021
University of Southampton

A combination of robust vaccination programmes and strict physical distancing rules could avoid recurring peaks of 

COVID-19 without the need to rely on stay-at-home restrictions, according to a new study by epidemiologists and demographers from WorldPop at the University of Southampton, in collaboration with The Chinese University of Hong Kong.



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The researchers report cities with medium and high density populations will need both vaccination and distancing to prevent future intense waves of COVID-19, until herd immunity is reached. However, they suggest cities with low populations and effective vaccination could fully interrupt transmission without the need for physical distancing. In all cities, full 'stay-at-home' lockdowns would no longer be necessary.

The team's results also suggest strong physical distancing interventions implemented for short periods of time may be more effective than mild, longer term ones.

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