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Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What do you think a vaccine is, and how do you think it works?
- Why might vaccines be important in healthcare?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- medical /MED-i-kuhl/
- availability /uh-vey-luh-BIL-i-tee/
- accessible /ak-SES-uh-buhl/
- assessment /uh-SES-muhnt /
- commit /kuh-MIT/
[adjective] – related to the treatment of illness and injuries
Doctors and nurses provide medical care to people when they are sick or injured.
[noun] – the fact that something can be bought, used, or reached, or how much it can be
The availability of fresh fruits and vegetables depends on the season and the local market.
[adjective] – able to be reached or easily obtained
This library is accessible to everyone in the community, so you can easily borrow books for free.
[noun] – the act of judging or deciding the amount, value, quality, or importance of something, or the judgment or decision that is made
The assessment of the student’s performance in the final exam was based on a comprehensive evaluation of their knowledge and skills in the subject.
[verb] – to promise to give yourself, your money, your time, etc., to support something
She decided to commit herself to a charity organization and spent her weekends helping those in need.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has taken significant steps in the fight against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a contagious disease that can resemble the flu and poses serious risks, especially to older adults. GSK’s Arexvy vaccine, initially approved for people aged 60 and above, has shown promise in protecting a broader group, including those aged 50 to 59. Early data suggests that this vaccine could provide protection, especially for individuals in the younger age group, especially if they have underlying medical conditions such as chronic lung diseases, heart issues, or diabetes. GSK’s plan is to present these findings to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with hopes of widening the vaccine’s availability. Currently, Arexvy is only accessible to those aged 60 and older.
The journey towards this groundbreaking development involved an extensive Phase 3 trial to determine the vaccine’s effectiveness in people aged 50 to 59 with these medical conditions. While the initial results hold promise, they await assessment by independent experts, and GSK is committed to presenting the final trial results at a medical conference and in a reputable journal. Additionally, they aim to be the first to share data with the FDA and other regulators in 2024. This is vital in combating RSV, a virus causing hospitalizations and deaths, especially among the elderly, offering hope to a broader age group, and advancing public health significantly.
The journey towards this groundbreaking development involved an extensive Phase 3 trial to determine the vaccine’s effectiveness in people aged 50 to 59 with these medical conditions. While the initial results hold promise, they await assessment by independent experts, and GSK is committed to presenting the final trial results at a medical conference and in a reputable journal. Additionally, they aim to be the first to share data with the FDA and other regulators in 2024. This is vital in combating RSV, a virus causing hospitalizations and deaths, especially among the elderly, offering hope to a broader age group, and advancing public health significantly.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What is GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) working on to fight against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?
- Who is the Arexvy vaccine initially approved for, and who has it shown promise in protecting?
- Why is the Arexvy vaccine currently only accessible to a specific age group?
- Why do the initial results of the vaccine’s trial hold promise?
- How can the development of the Arexvy vaccine help combat respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and improve public health?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you or someone you know ever received a vaccine for a specific illness? If yes, can you share your experience? If not, would you consider getting vaccinated if it were available to you?
- Are you familiar with the role of pharmaceutical companies in healthcare and vaccine development? If yes, can you share what you know about it? If not, would you like to learn more about how these companies contribute to public health?
- Based on the information in the article, do you think the development of the Arexvy vaccine for RSV is an important and promising advancement in healthcare? Please provide a brief explanation for your answer.
- In your opinion, what are some potential challenges or obstacles that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) may face in the process of widening the availability of the Arexvy vaccine to a broader age group? How could they address these challenges effectively?
- The article mentions the importance of presenting findings to regulatory authorities like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). What are the benefits and potential drawbacks of relying on regulatory bodies to assess and approve vaccines and medicines for public use? How can this process impact public health and safety?