community immunity
noun
: herd immunity
Encouraging our families, friends and neighbors to get vaccinated adds layers of protection and helps us create community immunity.—
Larry Antonucci
Larry AntonucciThere is a level of vaccination that is needed to protect a community from an outbreak of disease. This is called "herd immunity" and sometimes, "community immunity."—Erica Parker
Erica ParkerExamples of community immunity in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When more than 95% of the people in a community are vaccinated, most people are protected through community immunity, often referred to as herd immunity, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2025
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the community immunity threshold for measles — the percentage of a population that needs immunity in order to prevent the disease from significantly spreading — is between 92% and 94%.
—Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 1 May 2025
This is because when more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated, most are protected from measles through community immunity, also known as herd immunity, according to the CDC.
MORE: Amid growing Texas outbreak, how contagious is measles?
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2025
When more than 95% of the people in a community are vaccinated, most people are protected through community immunity, often called herd immunity, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
Do: Highlight community immunity With any infectious disease, the spread affects not only individuals but communities.
—Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
Science has shown that a population can reach community immunity, also known as herd immunity, once a certain percentage of the group is vaccinated.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 27 May 2024
Herd Immunity Definition Herd immunity—or community immunity—occurs when enough people in a population are immune to a disease.
—Karen Pallarito, Health, 20 Jan. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2025
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the community immunity threshold for measles — the percentage of a population that needs immunity in order to prevent the disease from significantly spreading — is between 92% and 94%.
—Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 1 May 2025
This is because when more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated, most are protected from measles through community immunity, also known as herd immunity, according to the CDC.
MORE: Amid growing Texas outbreak, how contagious is measles?
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2025
When more than 95% of the people in a community are vaccinated, most people are protected through community immunity, often called herd immunity, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
Do: Highlight community immunity With any infectious disease, the spread affects not only individuals but communities.
—Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
Science has shown that a population can reach community immunity, also known as herd immunity, once a certain percentage of the group is vaccinated.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 27 May 2024
Herd Immunity Definition Herd immunity—or community immunity—occurs when enough people in a population are immune to a disease.
—Karen Pallarito, Health, 20 Jan. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Community immunity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/community%20immunity. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share