A recent study published in The Lancet has found that 44% of the UK population did not receive the recommended number of Covid vaccine doses. This under-vaccination resulted in over 7,000 preventable hospital admissions related to Covid in the summer of 2022. The study analyzed health records for everyone over the age of five in the UK, providing valuable insights that could be applied to understanding other diseases as well. The research found that younger people were among the most likely to skip vaccine doses. The percentages of under-vaccination varied among the different nations of the UK, with Northern Ireland having the highest rate at 49.8% and Wales having the lowest at 32.8%.
The study estimated that if everyone had taken up the offer of the vaccine and booster doses for which they were eligible, 17% of severe hospital admissions related to Covid could have been avoided. The research used data from Covid vaccinations, tests, GPs, and hospitals to track the health data of the entire population. It revealed that under-vaccinated individuals over the age of 75 were more than twice as likely to be seriously ill with Covid compared to those who were fully protected. There was also a clear link between skipping vaccine doses and higher hospitalization and death rates across all age groups.
Prof Sir Aziz Sheikh, the study co-lead, emphasized the importance of Covid vaccines in saving lives. He also highlighted the potential of this research in identifying specific groups and areas where public health campaigns should be focused. The groups most likely to decline vaccination invitations were younger people, men, individuals living in poorer areas, and those from ethnic minority groups. Prof Cathie Sudlow, chief scientist at Health Data Research UK, stated that the large-scale collection of NHS data across the UK has significant potential for advancing medical understanding, prevention, and treatment of various diseases.
In conclusion, the study revealed the significant impact of under-vaccination on preventable hospital admissions related to Covid in the UK. It emphasized the importance of vaccine uptake, particularly among younger individuals, and highlighted the potential of using large-scale health data analysis for other medical areas. The findings of this research can help guide public health campaigns and target specific communities and groups for vaccination efforts.
Original news source: Covid jab skipped by 44%, entire UK study finds (BBC)
🎧 Listen:
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Fast
📖 Vocabulary:
| 1 | under-vaccination | The state of not having received the recommended number of vaccine doses |
| 2 | preventable | Capable of being stopped or avoided with proper measures |
| 3 | admissions | Instances of being accepted into a facility, such as a hospital |
| 4 | insights | Understandings or valuable pieces of information gained through observation or analysis |
| 5 | eligible | Qualified or having the right to participate or receive something |
| 6 | booster | Additional doses of a vaccine given to maintain or increase immunity |
| 7 | severe | Very serious or extreme in nature |
| 8 | emphasized | Stressed as being very important or critical |
| 9 | campaigns | Organized activities to promote certain ideas or achieve goals |
| 10 | decline | Politely or formally refuse an offer or invitation |
| 11 | ethnic | Relating to a large group of people who share a common national or cultural tradition |
| 12 | significant | Having considerable importance, size, or worth |
| 13 | uptake | The act of accepting or taking up something, such as a vaccine |
| 14 | advancing | Moving forward or developing in a positive direction |
| 15 | efforts | Attempts to achieve a goal or undertake a task |
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Headline Creation
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will create attention-grabbing headlines based on the key findings of the article. They should aim to summarize the main points in a concise and engaging way. After creating their headlines, students can take turns presenting them to the class and explaining why they chose their particular wording.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into groups and assign each group a specific demographic mentioned in the article (e.g. younger people, men, individuals living in poorer areas, ethnic minority groups). Each group will brainstorm and discuss reasons why these demographics may be more likely to decline vaccination invitations. After their discussion, each group will present their findings and opinions to the class, and the class can participate in a group discussion or debate.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary words from the article on separate pieces of paper and place them in a bag or container. Divide the class into small groups and have each group take turns drawing a word from the bag and attempting to draw it for their team to guess. The team that successfully guesses the word within a set time limit earns a point. After the game, have a discussion with the class about the meaning and importance of each vocabulary word in the context of the article.
– Sketch It
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will choose a specific statistic or finding from the article and create a visual representation of it. They can use drawings, diagrams, or graphs to illustrate their chosen information. After completing their sketches, students will present them to the class, explaining the significance of their chosen data and how it relates to the overall article.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Have students individually read the article and jot down any questions or thoughts that come to mind. After a few minutes, pair up students and have them share their questions and thoughts with each other. Encourage them to discuss and debate their different perspectives. After the pair discussion, open up the discussion to the whole class, allowing students to share their questions and thoughts with the larger group.
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. What percentage of the UK population did not receive the recommended number of Covid vaccine doses?
2. How many preventable hospital admissions related to Covid were there in the summer of 2022 due to under-vaccination?
3. What age group was found to be among the most likely to skip vaccine doses?
4. Which nation of the UK had the highest rate of under-vaccination?
5. What percentage of severe hospital admissions related to Covid could have been avoided if everyone had taken up the offer of the vaccine and booster doses?
6. What age group was found to be more than twice as likely to be seriously ill with Covid if they were under-vaccinated?
7. What groups were most likely to decline vaccination invitations?
8. What potential does the large-scale collection of NHS data across the UK have for advancing medical understanding, prevention, and treatment of various diseases?
Go to answers ⇩
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
A recent study published in The Lancet has found that 44% of the UK population did not (1)______ the recommended number of Covid (2)______ doses. This under-vaccination resulted in over 7,000 preventable hospital admissions related to Covid in the summer of 2022. The study analyzed health records for everyone over the age of five in the UK, providing valuable insights that could be applied to understanding (3)______ diseases as well. The research found that younger people were among the most likely to skip vaccine doses. The (4)______ of under-vaccination varied among the different nations of the UK, with Northern (5)______ having the highest rate at 49.8% and Wales having the lowest at 32.8%.
The study estimated that if everyone had taken up the (6)______ of the vaccine and booster doses for which they were eligible, 17% of severe hospital admissions related to Covid could have been avoided. The research used data from Covid vaccinations, tests, GPs, and (7)______ to track the health data of the entire population. It (8)______ that under-vaccinated individuals over the age of 75 were more than twice as likely to be seriously ill with Covid compared to those who were fully protected. There was also a clear link between skipping vaccine doses and higher (9)______ and death rates across all age groups.
Prof Sir Aziz Sheikh, the study co-lead, emphasized the importance of Covid vaccines in (10)______ lives. He also highlighted the potential of this research in (11)______ specific groups and areas where public health campaigns should be focused. The groups most likely to decline vaccination (12)______ were younger people, men, individuals living in poorer areas, and those from ethnic minority groups. Prof Cathie Sudlow, chief scientist at Health Data Research UK, stated that the large-scale collection of NHS data across the UK has significant (13)______ for advancing medical understanding, prevention, and (14)______ of various diseases.
In conclusion, the study revealed the significant impact of under-vaccination on (15)______ hospital admissions related to Covid in the UK. It emphasized the importance of vaccine uptake, particularly among younger individuals, and highlighted the potential of using large-scale health data analysis for other medical areas. The findings of this research can help guide public health campaigns and (16)______ specific communities and groups for vaccination efforts.
Go to answers ⇩
💬 Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is your opinion on the findings of the study regarding under-vaccination in the UK?
2. How would you feel if you found out that you were among the 44% of the UK population who did not receive the recommended number of Covid vaccine doses?
3. Do you think the under-vaccination rates would be different in your home country? Why or why not?
4. What do you think are some reasons why younger people were more likely to skip vaccine doses?
5. How do you think the under-vaccination rates in Northern Ireland and Wales compare to the rates in your own country?
6. Do you think the findings of this study can be applied to understanding other diseases as well? Why or why not?
7. How do you think the under-vaccination rates in the UK could have been reduced?
8. Do you like the idea of using large-scale health data analysis for medical research and prevention efforts? Why or why not?
9. How do you think the under-vaccination rates in the UK have impacted the healthcare system?
10. What do you think are some potential reasons why individuals over the age of 75 were more likely to be seriously ill with Covid if they were under-vaccinated?
11. How would you feel if you found out that you were living in an area with a high under-vaccination rate?
12. Do you think public health campaigns are effective in increasing vaccine uptake? Why or why not?
13. How do you think the findings of this study can be used to improve future vaccination efforts?
14. What do you think are some potential barriers to vaccine uptake among men and ethnic minority groups?
15. How would you feel if you discovered that your own vaccination status had contributed to preventable hospital admissions related to Covid?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. under-vaccination
2. preventable
3. admissions
4. insights
5. eligible
6. booster
7. severe
8. emphasized
9. campaigns
10. decline
11. ethnic
12. significant
13. uptake
14. advancing
15. efforts
Meanings:
(A) Politely or formally refuse an offer or invitation
(B) Qualified or having the right to participate or receive something
(C) Having considerable importance, size, or worth
(D) The state of not having received the recommended number of vaccine doses
(E) Moving forward or developing in a positive direction
(F) Attempts to achieve a goal or undertake a task
(G) Additional doses of a vaccine given to maintain or increase immunity
(H) Capable of being stopped or avoided with proper measures
(I) Relating to a large group of people who share a common national or cultural tradition
(J) Stressed as being very important or critical
(K) Instances of being accepted into a facility, such as a hospital
(L) Very serious or extreme in nature
(M) The act of accepting or taking up something, such as a vaccine
(N) Organized activities to promote certain ideas or achieve goals
(O) Understandings or valuable pieces of information gained through observation or analysis
Go to answers ⇩
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What percentage of the UK population did not receive the recommended number of Covid vaccine doses?
(a) 32.8%
(b) 49.8%
(c) 17%
(d) 44%
2. How many preventable hospital admissions related to Covid were there in the summer of 2022 due to under-vaccination?
(a) Over 7,000
(b) Over 17%
(c) Over 49.8%
(d) Over 32.8%
3. Which age group was among the most likely to skip vaccine doses?
(a) Individuals over the age of 75
(b) Younger people
(c) Men
(d) Individuals living in poorer areas
4. Which nation of the UK had the highest rate of under-vaccination?
(a) Wales
(b) Northern Ireland
(c) Scotland
(d) England
5. What percentage of severe hospital admissions related to Covid could have been avoided if everyone had taken up the offer of the vaccine and booster doses?
(a) 44%
(b) 32.8%
(c) 17%
(d) 49.8%
6. What was the clear link found between skipping vaccine doses and higher hospitalization and death rates?
(a) Only among younger people
(b) Only among individuals over the age of 75
(c) Only among men
(d) Across all age groups
7. Who emphasized the importance of Covid vaccines in saving lives?
(a) Prof Sir Aziz Sheikh
(b) Prof Cathie Sudlow
(c) The Lancet
(d) Health Data Research UK
8. What potential did Prof Cathie Sudlow highlight for the large-scale collection of NHS data across the UK?
(a) Identifying specific groups and areas where public health campaigns should be focused
(b) Understanding the impact of under-vaccination on preventable hospital admissions
(c) Advancing medical understanding, prevention, and treatment of various diseases
(d) Targeting specific communities and groups for vaccination efforts
Go to answers ⇩
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. Younger people were among the most likely to skip vaccine doses, according to the research.
2. Over 7,000 unavoidable hospital admissions related to Covid occurred in the summer of 2022 due to under-vaccination in the UK.
3. Under-vaccinated individuals over the age of 75 were less than twice as likely to be seriously ill with Covid compared to those who were fully protected.
4. If everyone had chosen not to take up the offer of the vaccine and booster doses for which they were eligible, 17% of severe hospital admissions related to Covid could have been avoided, according to the study’s estimation.
5. Skipping vaccine doses was linked to higher hospitalization and death rates across all age groups, according to the research.
6. A recent study published in The Lancet found that 44% of the UK population did not receive the recommended number of Covid vaccine doses.
7. The percentages of under-vaccination were consistent among the different nations of the UK, with Northern Ireland having the lowest rate at 49.8% and Wales having the highest at 32.8%.
8. The study analyzed health records for everyone over the age of five in the UK, providing valuable insights for understanding other diseases as well.
Go to answers ⇩
📝 Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. What percentage of the UK population did not receive the recommended number of Covid vaccine doses, according to the study?
2. How many preventable hospital admissions related to Covid were there in the summer of 2022 due to under-vaccination?
3. Which age group was found to be among the most likely to skip vaccine doses?
4. Which nation of the UK had the highest rate of under-vaccination?
5. What percentage of severe hospital admissions related to Covid could have been avoided if everyone had taken up the offer of the vaccine and booster doses?
✅ Answers
🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What percentage of the UK population did not receive the recommended number of Covid vaccine doses?
– 44%
2. How many preventable hospital admissions related to Covid were there in the summer of 2022 due to under-vaccination?
– Over 7,000
3. What age group was found to be among the most likely to skip vaccine doses?
– Younger people
4. Which nation of the UK had the highest rate of under-vaccination?
– Northern Ireland
5. What percentage of severe hospital admissions related to Covid could have been avoided if everyone had taken up the offer of the vaccine and booster doses?
– 17%
6. What age group was found to be more than twice as likely to be seriously ill with Covid if they were under-vaccinated?
– Individuals over the age of 75
7. What groups were most likely to decline vaccination invitations?
– Younger people, men, individuals living in poorer areas, and those from ethnic minority groups
8. What potential does the large-scale collection of NHS data across the UK have for advancing medical understanding, prevention, and treatment of various diseases?
– It has significant potential for advancing medical understanding, prevention, and treatment of various diseases.
Go back to questions ⇧
🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) receive
(2) vaccine
(3) other
(4) percentages
(5) Ireland
(6) offer
(7) hospitals
(8) revealed
(9) hospitalization
(10) saving
(11) identifying
(12) invitations
(13) potential
(14) treatment
(15) preventable
(16) target
Go back to questions ⇧
📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. under-vaccination
Answer: (D) The state of not having received the recommended number of vaccine doses
2. preventable
Answer: (H) Capable of being stopped or avoided with proper measures
3. admissions
Answer: (K) Instances of being accepted into a facility, such as a hospital
4. insights
Answer: (O) Understandings or valuable pieces of information gained through observation or analysis
5. eligible
Answer: (B) Qualified or having the right to participate or receive something
6. booster
Answer: (G) Additional doses of a vaccine given to maintain or increase immunity
7. severe
Answer: (L) Very serious or extreme in nature
8. emphasized
Answer: (J) Stressed as being very important or critical
9. campaigns
Answer: (N) Organized activities to promote certain ideas or achieve goals
10. decline
Answer: (A) Politely or formally refuse an offer or invitation
11. ethnic
Answer: (I) Relating to a large group of people who share a common national or cultural tradition
12. significant
Answer: (C) Having considerable importance, size, or worth
13. uptake
Answer: (M) The act of accepting or taking up something, such as a vaccine
14. advancing
Answer: (E) Moving forward or developing in a positive direction
15. efforts
Answer: (F) Attempts to achieve a goal or undertake a task
Go back to questions ⇧
🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What percentage of the UK population did not receive the recommended number of Covid vaccine doses?
Answer: (d) 44%
2. How many preventable hospital admissions related to Covid were there in the summer of 2022 due to under-vaccination?
Answer: (a) Over 7,000
3. Which age group was among the most likely to skip vaccine doses?
Answer: (b) Younger people
4. Which nation of the UK had the highest rate of under-vaccination?
Answer: (b) Northern Ireland
5. What percentage of severe hospital admissions related to Covid could have been avoided if everyone had taken up the offer of the vaccine and booster doses?
Answer: (c) 17%
6. What was the clear link found between skipping vaccine doses and higher hospitalization and death rates?
Answer: (d) Across all age groups
7. Who emphasized the importance of Covid vaccines in saving lives?
Answer: (a) Prof Sir Aziz Sheikh
8. What potential did Prof Cathie Sudlow highlight for the large-scale collection of NHS data across the UK?
Answer: (c) Advancing medical understanding, prevention, and treatment of various diseases
Go back to questions ⇧
🕵️✅ True or False Answers:
1. Younger people were among the most likely to skip vaccine doses, according to the research. (Answer: True)
2. Over 7,000 unavoidable hospital admissions related to Covid occurred in the summer of 2022 due to under-vaccination in the UK. (Answer: False)
3. Under-vaccinated individuals over the age of 75 were less than twice as likely to be seriously ill with Covid compared to those who were fully protected. (Answer: False)
4. If everyone had chosen not to take up the offer of the vaccine and booster doses for which they were eligible, 17% of severe hospital admissions related to Covid could have been avoided, according to the study’s estimation. (Answer: False)
5. Skipping vaccine doses was linked to higher hospitalization and death rates across all age groups, according to the research. (Answer: True)
6. A recent study published in The Lancet found that 44% of the UK population did not receive the recommended number of Covid vaccine doses. (Answer: True)
7. The percentages of under-vaccination were consistent among the different nations of the UK, with Northern Ireland having the lowest rate at 49.8% and Wales having the highest at 32.8%. (Answer: False)
8. The study analyzed health records for everyone over the age of five in the UK, providing valuable insights for understanding other diseases as well. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
