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Story: U.S. Faces
Flu Vaccine Shortage, 10/11/04
Reading Comprehension Questions: 1. What is the flu and how many people does it impact each year?
2. What led to the flu vaccine shortage?
3. Who are health officials advising to get the flu vaccine this year?
4. What contaminated the flu vaccine? Where is it found and what can it do?
5. Why are flu vaccines difficult to make?
6. Other than the flu vaccine process, why aren't more companies making the vaccine?
7. What are some possible solutions to this problem, according to health experts?
Discussion Activity (more research might be needed): 1. Do you think it's fair to limit the availability of the flu vaccine to a select group of people? Explain your reasoning. If you were in charge of distributing a limited supply of the flu vaccine in your community what would you do? Who would you serve first? Explain. 2. What role do you think the government should take in the production of flu and other vaccines? How might the government convince companies to produce vaccines? Should they? Explain your reasoning. 3. If you got the flu last year and missed the final championship game or your favorite band's concert would you try to get a flu shot this year? Write a 300-500 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org]. Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site. |