Part 1. Vocabulary
regulator /ˈreɡyəˌlādər/
n
-
a person or body that supervises a particular industry or business activity
There
are regulators who are in charge of the food prices.
virtually /ˈvərCH(o͞o)əlē/
adv
- nearly; almost.
The college became virtually bankrupt during the pandemic.
eligible /ˈeləjəb(ə)l/ adj
- having the right to do or obtain something; satisfying the appropriate conditions.
The customers are eligible for discounts if they have a valid ID.
modicum /ˈmädəkəm/ n
- a small quantity of a particular thing, especially something considered desirable
or valuable.
The statement given by the student had more than a modicum of truth.
jabs /jab/ v
- poke (someone or something) roughly or quickly, especially with something
sharp or pointed.
She jabbed the wall with an arrow.
Part 2. Comprehension Questions
1.
What vaccine manufacturer is seeking an approval
to be used to children?
2.
How different is the vaccine of 12-15 years old
to children 5-11 years old?
3.
How long will it take for the vaccine to be
approved?
4.
When can it be possible that all children could
receive the vaccine?
5.
Why do you think there are parents who want
their children vaccinated?
Part 3. Article Reading
Federal regulators said they are working around the clock to support vaccine manufacturers as they seek approval for use in children between 5 and 11 years old.
In the Bay Area, Stanford Children's Hospital is
participating in clinical trials for the Pfizer vaccine.
Dr. Yvonne Maldonado said the research group she heads will
soon be submitting their data to Pfizer.
“And then Pfizer will then organize it, analyze it and
submit it to the FDA,” she said. “I understand from reading various sites that
Pfizer thinks they can do that by October.”
Maldonado said if the data is handed over to the FDA on that
timeline, regulators could take a couple months to review it and potentially
have word on shots for children between 5 and 11 by the end of the calendar
year.
The amount of vaccine they should use in each shot for kids
in this age range - is one of the most significant questions in this trial.
“It's different from the dose that was given to adults and
to 12- to 15-year-olds. So, it's a lower dose,” said Maldonado.
Emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine in this
age group could mean that virtually all
school-aged kids could be eligible for the shots.
The parents that NBC Bay Area’s Sergio Quintana talked to
Friday said they have already got their shots themselves and added they are
looking forward to approvals for their younger children.
“There's obviously some modicum
of hesitation, but I’d say overall, we're pretty confident. My wife and I
are already vaccinated,” said Jose Munne of San Jose.
Both of San Jose residents Shira Roman's daughters are too
young to get the shots right now. They would be eligible if the FDA grants use
for the Pfizer jabs in the next few months.
“If it happens, we will go for it because we're actually
more concerned about long-term effects of COVID,” she said.
Source: Sergio Quintana_ https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/