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
There 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

Examples of community immunity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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, 28 Mar. 2025 Do: Highlight community immunity With any infectious disease, the spread affects not only individuals but communities. — Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of community immunity was in 1915

Rhymes for community immunity

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Browse Nearby Words

community house
community immunity
community organization
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Cite this Entry

“Community immunity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/community%20immunity. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

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