Immune evasion means we need a new COVID-19 social contract

The collective benefits of herd immunity have become similar to a mantra in mass vaccination strategies, repeated by governments and researchers. However, the prominence of herd immunity being touted as a solution to the pandemic might be about to change with the emergence of immune evasion, a virological game changer that is as important as the arrival of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Dealing with immune evasion will require a re-evaluation of public health strategies, and the creation of a new, evidence-based social contract.