Abstract
Aims of the study Vaccines are considered to be our greatest hope of
defeating SARS-CoV-2. However, before we claim victory, there are some
important questions that are in need of an urgent answer. In this paper
we address a particularly relevant one, which unfortunately has not
attracted much attention: whether approved vaccines provide us with
sterilizing immunity (or to what concrete level). Methods used to
conduct the study This study was based on the revision of the existing
academic literature. Results of the study The capacity of approved
vaccines to provide sterilizing immunity is key to designing our
vaccination policies in an optimal way. We propose ways to obtain this
knowledge and we assess the consequences that a lack of sufficient
immunity would bring to publc health policies. Conclusions drawn from
the study and clinical implications If further evidence proves that
vaccines do not provide sterilizing immunity, prioritization strategies
should introduce changes by providing preferential access to vulnerable
populations instead of health care professionals or caregivers working
in nursing homes. Policies aimed at promoting adherence to vaccination
should consider that altruistic incentives would clearly diminish. In
addition, policy makers should be aware that, in general, reaching herd
immunity could take much longer than expected.