Did you get a flu shot this year? For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US is recommending that all children ages 6 months through 18 years receive the flu vaccine.
Vaccines battle diseases caused by bacteria and viruses. A weakened form of the germ is introduced into the body. The body makes special substances called antibodies to fight the germs. If the actual germs were to attack, the antibodies would fight them.
Because there are many kinds of flu viruses, scientists must create a new vaccine formula (配方) each year. Researchers must make a prediction.
“The flu vaccine is not as effective as the polio (小儿麻痹症) vaccine or the measles(麻疹) vaccine,” says Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
“It’s not a great vaccine, but it is quite a good vaccine.”
But a flu vaccine doesn’t work for everyone. There are certain people who should be careful about taking it. Because the vaccine is produced from eggs, those who are allergic (过敏的) to eggs should not take it. If you have a fever, you should wait until you recover.
Some people are afraid that they might get the flu from the flu shot. Scientist say that it is not possible, because the viruses in the flu shot are inactivated (灭活的). But some minor side effects such as low-grade fever and body aches could occur. If they do, they begin soon after the shot and usually last only one to two days.
60. What is an antibody?
A. An antibody is a vaccine formula
B. An antibody is a germ that is introduced into the body
C. An antibody is a vaccine that fights diseases.
D. An antibody is a special substance to fight germs.
61. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. Not everyone is suitable for the flu vaccine.
B. The flu vaccine is not so effective as the measles vaccine
C. Flu viruses create new vaccine formulas each year.
D. People can’t take the flu vaccine at anytime.
62. It can be inferred from the text that _____.
A. scientists should change the vaccine formula each year
B. vaccines can battle diseases caused by bacteria and viruses
C. all children ages 6 months through 18 years can receive the flu vaccine
D. scientists are responsible for the side effects of the flu vaccine
63. Which of the following would be the best title for the text?
A. The flu vaccine B. Side effects of the flu vaccine
C. How to prevent the flu D. Not everyone can get the flu shot