immunity gap
The 'immunity gap' concept is crucial in understanding population-level vulnerabilities to infectious diseases, especially in the context of vaccination and public health measures.
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Definition
C1Epidemiology
(technical, academic)A period when a population's immunity to a disease decreases, often due to reduced exposure or insufficient vaccination, increasing the risk of outbreaks.
Example
- After the lockdowns ended, the immunity gap led to a rise in flu cases.
- Public health officials are concerned about the immunity gap for measles in certain regions.
C1Veterinary Medicine
(technical, academic)The interval when a young animal no longer benefits from maternal antibodies but its own immune system is not yet fully developed.
Example
- The puppy was vulnerable to infections due to the immunity gap after weaning.
- Veterinarians monitor the immunity gap closely to prevent disease outbreaks in livestock.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "immunity gap":