Can some one help me out here? Is the objective of social distancing to help suppress the spread in lieu of an effective vaccine?

What happens if - like HIV - a CV vaccine never actually becomes available? Now we're faced with a classic Hobson's choice.

To me that suggests the eons old traditional herd immunity strategy then becomes the default modus operandi.

Which also means that those who fear becoming effected can continue to self quarantine and/or wear protective gear while the rest of society goes back to living.