Pfizer announces its COVID-19 vaccine is 90% effective

admin 2020年11月18日

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

interim /IN-ter-uhm/

[adjective] – temporary and intended to be used or accepted until something permanent exists
The local government is taking interim measures to help those affected by the typhoon.

immune /ih-MYOON/

[adjective] – protected against a particular disease or illness by particular substances in the blood
Sera’s already immune to smallpox as a result of vaccination she received as a child.

trial /TRAHY-uhl/

[noun] – a test, usually over a limited period of time, to discover how effective or suitable something or someone is
The clinical trial for the new vaccine will be held tomorrow at 13:00 sharp, so please don’t be late.

evaluate /ih-VAL-yoo-eyt/

[verb] – to judge or calculate the quality, importance, amount, or value of something
The scientists are currently doing tests to evaluate the herb’s effectiveness as a new medicine.

distribution /dis-truh-BYOO-shuhn/

[noun] – the process of giving things out to several people, or spreading or supplying something
The distribution of basic necessities to the homeless was done successfully.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

Drugmaker company Pfizer announced last Monday, November 9, that its coronavirus vaccine showed 90% efficiency based on an early look at data. The interim analysis studied the first 94 positive cases out of 43,000 volunteers who took two doses of the vaccine. Less than 10% of infection was found in participants who took the vaccine shots. According to Pfizer, the vaccine achieved its 90% efficiency rate seven days after the second shot. This means it will take 28 days for a person to be immune from the virus, and it is required for an individual to take two doses of the vaccine.

Pfizer’s Phase 3 trial has had about 43,538 volunteers since July 27 and 38,955 of them have received the second dose of the vaccine. The company’s final goal is to administer the vaccine to 164 patients with positive cases. Pfizer also intends to evaluate if the vaccine can provide long-term protection against the coronavirus even to patients who had been infected before. As for the shots distribution, it is still unclear if it will be done yearly or seasonal. “I think it is a likely scenario that you will need periodical vaccinations,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

Pfizer announced the high effectiveness of its vaccine.
43,538 volunteers from the phase 3 trial have received the second dose of the vaccine.
Less than 5% of the infection was found in volunteers who took the vaccine shots.
Pfizer’s final target is to have 164 confirmed cases have the vaccine.
It will take 30 days for a person to be immune from the virus after the second vaccine shot.

Discussion Questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

It is stated in their reports that it will take 28 days to be protected from the virus after the second vaccine shot. Do you think this duration is long or short? Please share your thoughts.
Why do you think two Pfizer vaccine doses are needed to be immune from the coronavirus?
What is Japan’s current action in producing vaccines?
How is your country currently handling the pandemic?
What are your own safety precautions during this time of the pandemic?

Express Your Opinion:

I will read each sentence. Then, please tell me if you agree or disagree, and why.

The elderly must be given the vaccine first once it is approved by the World Health Organization.
Vaccination does not always work on everyone.
If a vaccine is proven 90% effective, it should be distributed as early as possible even though it has not yet passed the final trial phase.