Stability switches induced by immune system boosting in an SIRS model with discrete and distributed delays

Abstract: We consider an epidemiological model that includes waning and boosting of immunity. Assuming that repeated exposure to the pathogen fully restores immunity, we derive an SIRS-type model with discrete and distributed delays. First we prove usual results, namely that if the basic reproduction number, $\mathcal{R}_0$, is less or equal than $1$, then the disease free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable, whereas for $\mathcal{R}_0>1$ the disease persists in the population. The interesting features of boosting appear with respect to the endemic equilibrium, which can go through multiple stability switches by changing the key model parameters. We construct two-parameter stability charts, showing that increasing the delay can stabilize the positive equilibrium. Increasing $\mathcal{R}_0$, the endemic equilibrium can cross two distinct regions of instability, separated by Hopf-bifurcations. Our results show that the dynamics of infectious diseases with boosting of immunity can be more complex than most epidemiological models, and calls for careful mathematical analysis.