GENEVA(Reuters) -Pregnant women and other people at high risk should be vaccinated(注射疫苗) against the H1N1 swine flu virus as the cold weather begins to bite in the northern hemisphere(半球), the World Health Organization(WHO) said on Tuesday.
It voiced concern that some vulnerable(弱势的) people don’t have access to the pandemic(传染病) vaccine, which the WHO stressed had not caused any unusual side effects in hundreds of thousands of people to have received it worldwide so far.
“Certainly the fact that the vaccine isn’t being used by those who would have access to it and who would be in priority risk groups is of concern, yes,” WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl told a news briefing.
At least 5, 712 people have died from the swine flu virus, according to the United Nations agency. Health workers, pregnant women and people with conditions such as asthma are deemed at greatest risk and should be top priority for getting the shot.
“We have seen many, many examples of people in high risk groups such as pregnant women who have very severe disease or outcomes. These outcomes could be in all likelihood avoided if one were to get vaccinated,” Hartl said.
Unlike seasonal flu, which is most dangerous to the elderly, H1N1 is hitting younger adults and children especially hard.
The WHO recommends a single vaccine dose for protecting adults against H1N1. It has also urged governments to consider giving a single dose to as many children under age 10 as possible, but says more research is needed into child dosages.
In the United States, studies show that children under the age of 9 will need two doses of the vaccine to be fully protected, officials there said on Monday.
Parts of North America and Europe have already crossed the epidemic (流行病) threshold( 开始了), ahead of the normal influenza season which peaks in January-February for the northern hemisphere, WHO says.
51.According to the passage, what is WHO probably most concerned about now?
A. Whether the vaccine has side effect or not.
B. How many people are infected by the H1N1 swine flu virus.
C. Whether pregnant women and those at high risk can get the vaccination.
D. What is the difference between H1N1 and seasonal flu.
52.According to the passage, what group of people are more vulnerable to H1N1 swine flu virus?
A. The elderly. B. A teenager with asthma.
C. An adult with heatstroke. D. A newly-born baby.
53.In paragraph 4, “getting the shot” means ____________.
A. being shot B. being vaccinated C. being cured D. getting killed
54.What can we learn from this passage?
A. Pregnant women will surely get severe disease if infected with H1N1.
B. Seasonal flu is more likely to hit younger adults and children.
C. one more dose of vaccine should be given to the children under 9.
D. About 6000 people have died from seasonal flu.
55. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. Pregnant women need flu shot.
B. Differences between H1N1 flu and seasonal flu.
C. The harm caused by H1N1 swine flu virus.
D. A breakthrough in H1N1 cure: vaccination.
