B2 – Upper Intermediate
Researchers analyzed data from 1,028 vaccinated individuals and found that the dengue vaccine TAK-003 showed good safety and tolerability, including among older adults and people with chronic illnesses.
Read the article to know why the findings support wider use of the vaccine to help prevent dengue infections in vulnerable populations.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “mosquito vector” mean? ” In recent decades, dengue incidence has increased due to the geographical spread of mosquito vectors, driven in part by climate change, as well as the rise in international travel, which contributes to the global circulation of the virus.” Use it in a sentence.
- What does “pharmacovigilance” mean? “To help address this knowledge gap, we conducted a pharmacovigilance study across eight travel health centers in Catalonia.” Use it in a sentence.
- What does “concomitant vaccine” mean? “The analysis found that female participants, people with a previous dengue infection, and those who received concomitant vaccines against other flaviviruses (such as the yellow fever vaccine) had a higher risk of adverse events.” Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- Have you ever received a vaccine before traveling to another country?
- Why do you think it is important for older adults and people with chronic illnesses to be protected against dengue?
- Would you feel more confident traveling to a tropical country if a dengue vaccine was available? Why or why not?
- What are some ways travelers can protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases besides vaccination?
- Do you think governments should recommend dengue vaccines to high-risk travelers? Why?