ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A new study predicts coronavirus could still be spreading throughout the United States for another 18 to 24 months -- or until a vaccine is found or we reach herd immunity. Dr. Fred Buckhold is a SLU Care general internist at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and says herd immunity means enough people are protected against a virus to limit its spread.
COVID is spread by close contact among those not protected. Dr. Buckhold is worried about a possible super spreader. With herd immunity, it is much tougher to get so many people sick thereby containing the spread.
How many of us need to be immune to reach herd immunity? Some say 60-to-70 percent.
Dr. Buckhold says it is also optimistic to think we will have a good vaccine by January -- but it is a possibility if everything goes right.