(20-12-2021, 10:24 AM)Olive Wrote: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/comparing-cov...-stacks-upWell written and reasoned article as is usually the case from Newsroom. The one point that wasn't expanded on is that unlike the European countries NZ initially pursued an elimination strategy which has resulted in very, very few of our population being exposed to COVID and thereby acquiring immunity by way of this method, which is reputed to be more effective that the immunity imparted by way of vaccination, particularly if the individual has been both vaccinated and has had COVID infection.
While the elimination strategy has worked well in minimising harm to us by way of infection it now leaves us more susceptable to being infected than those populations who have had a wave or three of COVID work through them. We are more reliant on vaccination (including boosters) than possibly any other country worldwide due an almost total lack of citizens with any form of naturally acquired immunity.
This is particularly important to factor into ongoing pandemic strategies by our government, and a real risk factor for those that choose not to receive vaccination.