Episode 15: Protection, Interrupted - How Chasing Sterilizing Immunity Fails the Herd

What if our biggest mistake in vaccine communication wasn’t misinformation—but misexpectation?

In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather digs into the seductive myth of sterilizing immunity—the idea that a “perfect” vaccine blocks infection completely—and explores how this scientific fable has distorted public expectations, undermined trust, and set back our ability to fight infectious diseases.

From the remote Faroe Islands in 1846 to the fractured COVID-19 response, Heather takes listeners on a journey through vaccine history, immunology, and public health strategy. We break down what herd immunity really is (and isn’t), why breakthrough infections aren’t failures, and how chasing an unmeasurable ideal can derail real-world protection.

Forget perfection. This episode is about what actually works: disease prevention, reduced transmission, and building public trust—one honest conversation at a time.