Comprehending the argument

A key strategy in fighting the spread of a contagious virus in a country is to vaccinate a high enough percentage of the country’s population that herd immunity is achieved, leaving the virus without enough hosts to continue transmitting and surviving within the community.

How might free riders create a collective-action problem in a country’s effort to achieve herd immunity through mass vaccination?

Since herd immunity can be achieved without every single individual in the community getting vaccinated, some individuals decide not to bother getting the vaccine themselves, counting on enough of their fellow citizens to get vaccinated that the community threshold for herd immunity is achieved.

In this way, these individuals become free riders, reaping the benefits of everyone else’s willingness to get vaccinated without having to bear any of the logistical issues or minor health risks of getting vaccinated themselves.

As more and more people see the advantages of free riding, more and more people choose not to vaccinate themselves.

Wireless Philosophy

Course: Wireless Philosophy > Unit 8

Problem