Question

Vaccines don't provide immunity from disease for some people. But if most people get vaccinated against a disease, such as measles, then the population achieves "herd immunity," which means that there are so few cases of the disease that even people for whom vaccinations are ineffective are unlikely to contract the disease. An article in the Economist argued that "herd immunity is a classic public good." a. Do you agree with this statement? b. The same article argued that there is an incentive to "free ride' off the contributions of others" by not getting vaccinated. What does the author mean by "free ride"? If the author is correct, what will be the effect of this free riding? c. Given your answer to part (b), why do most people vaccinate their children against childhood diseases, and why do many adults get vaccinated against influenza?

Short answer

a. Yes, the statement is agreeable as herd immunity aligns with the characteristics of a public good - non-excludability and non-rivalry. b. A free rider is an individual who enjoys the benefits of a public good without contributing towards it. In vaccination terms, a free rider doesn't get vaccinated but benefits from herd immunity. If this behaviour is widespread, it can lead to a lack of herd immunity. c. Most people vaccinate to contribute to herd immunity, decrease personal risk and for public responsibility.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Concept of Public Goods

The terminology 'public goods' in economics refers to a commodity or service that is provided without profit to all members of a society. It is characterized by its non-excludability and non-rivalry nature. Non-excludable means that no one can be excluded from using the good or service. Non-rivalrous means that one person's use does not decrease its availability to others. In the context of vaccinations, the 'herd immunity' created works as a public good. This is because when a significant part of the population is vaccinated, even the unvaccinated individuals get protection as there are not enough carriers for the disease to spread. This makes herd immunity both non-excludable and non-rivalrous.

Understanding the Concept of Free Riding

In economics, a free rider is an individual who enjoys the benefits of a collective good or service without participating in paying for it or contributing towards it. By not getting vaccinated, a person can potentially 'free ride' off the immunity of others, enjoying the benefits of herd immunity without subjecting themselves to the potential risks or inconvenience of vaccination. If a large number of people choose to free ride, it could lead to a lack of herd immunity to various diseases, leading to possible disease outbreaks.

Reasons for Vaccination

Despite the possibility to 'free ride', most people choose to vaccinate their children or themselves. This could be due to multiple reasons. One fundamental reason is the understanding that their contribution is necessary for maintaining herd immunity. Additionally, being vaccinated significantly reduces their personal risk of contracting the disease. Consideration for personal health, the health of their children and public responsibility are strong motivating factors.