Final answer:
The correct answer is option c. Herd immunity
Step-by-step explanation:
Children who have immune disorders often cannot be vaccinated, and thus they cannot directly benefit from the protective effects of vaccines. However, they can still be protected from infectious diseases through a concept known as herd immunity. Herd immunity occurs when a significant portion of a population becomes immune to an infectious disease, thereby reducing the spread of the disease and protecting those who are not immune. This community-level immunity is especially important for protecting individuals who cannot receive vaccinations due to various health conditions, such as compromised immune systems.
For herd immunity to be effective, a critical mass of the population must be immunized, reducing the overall amount of the virus available to spread to those without immunity. This collective protective effect essentially acts as an indirect shield, helping to prevent the vulnerable segments of the population, like children with immune disorders, from being exposed to potential outbreaks.
The availability of effective vaccines is key to establishing herd immunity within a community. Through vaccination programs aimed at achieving high immunization rates, we can control and prevent the spread of diseases, thus safeguarding individuals who cannot participate in these programs due to health risks.