Health experts predict we will not reach herd immunity, what it means for the future with COVID-19 Is herd immunity even possible? By Kristi O'Connor | May 5, 2021 at 1:19 PM EDT - Updated May 5 at 6:28 PM CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Herd immunity was the goal to end the COVID-19 pandemic, but as demand for the vaccine is dropping, public health experts now say it is unrealistic to assume we will reach that goal anytime soon. “Public health experts and scientist believe herd immunity is not obtainable in the foreseeable future and possibly, not ever,” Novant Health Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. David Priest said. “I do agree with that in terms of herd immunity and whether we can get there. The optimist in me hopes that whoever can get the vaccine, will get the vaccine but I don’t think it’s going to happen at this stage.”