https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210902174719.htm

More than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic began, vaccination programs now hold promise to ease many burdens caused by the disease -- including necessary restrictions that have had negative social and economic consequences. Much research has focused on vaccine allocation and prioritization, and optimal ways to control spread. However, how to execute a smooth transition between an unprotected population to eventual population immunity remained an open question.

To address that question, Bauer and colleagues applied mathematical modeling to epidemiological and vaccination data from Germany, France, the U.K., and other European countries. Specifically, they quantified the pace at which restrictions could be lifted during vaccine rollout in order to mitigate the risk of rebound COVID-19 waves that overwhelm intensive care units.