UDTR Global Rights of Nature Radar

Immune logics, immune selves and immunoprivilege in the COVID era: Perspectives from marginalised social groups

Identification

Public canonical key

radar:r-2e87315cdf803d7869cfb79caec930d4

Authors

Deborah A. Lupton · Kerryn Drysdale

Reported year

2025

Reported language

en

Source type

article

First detected

2026-11-14T02:38:59.832631+00:00

Last metadata observation

2026-11-14T02:38:59.832631+00:00

Last HTTP verification

Not checked

Institutions reported by the source

UNSW Sydney

Reported affiliation countries

AU

Documentary abstract — original language

The COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by a fraught immunopolitics in which the health and interests of powerful social groups have been privileged, supported and valued while members of disadvantaged groups have been positioned as both more vulnerable and expendable. This article identifies logics about immune selves (‘immune logics’) among marginalised Australian sub-groups who have historically been subjected to discrimination and social stigma. The study involved 30 semi-structured interviews with LGBTIQA + people and people living with the blood-borne viruses hepatitis B, hepatitis C or the human immunodeficiency virus. Findings are structured under three main immune logics: i) logics of relative immunity; ii) logics of COVID vulnerability; and iii) logics of immunoprivilege. The study demonstrates how these logics are relational and dynamic, situated in time, place and social structures, and constantly responding to these conditions. Factors beyond stigma, racialisation or socioeconomic disadvantage may contribute to immunoprivilege, often in complicated ways. Immunoprivilege was viewed as established through individual behaviours and via access to quality healthcare and regular monitoring of chronic infections and other health conditions, as well as to vaccines and therapies such as antivirals and gender-affirming care. • Qualitative interviews about concepts of human immunity were conducted with members of Australian marginalised sub-groups. • Study is in the context of fraught immunopolitics following the outbreak of COVID-19. • Involved LGBTQIA + people and people living with the blood-borne viruses hepatitis B, hepatitis C and/or HIV. • Findings show that immune selves are relational and dynamic, situated in time, place and social structures. • Immunoprivilege can be achieved in conditions of marginalisation and disadvantage.

Identifiers

OPENALEX

https://openalex.org/W4413119108

DOI

10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118481

PMID

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40811951

Documentary context

Documentary family

article

Source-reported types

article

Publishers

Elsevier BV

Entity mentions are not evidence of legal recognition. Jurisdiction studied is separate from author affiliation country.

Sources

OpenAlex · Record 1

• Document · https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118481

Documentary status

Relevance pending

Library

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