For the first time since influenza vaccines became popular, the demand

Question

For the first time since influenza vaccines became popular, the demand for the vaccine exceeds the supply in our state. In order to manage the impact of this shortage on public health, the governor has issued a directive ordering that the vaccine be made available first to groups most vulnerable to serious complications from the illness. The directive states that all children under the age of 12 and all seniors over the age of 80 will be given the first opportunity to receive the vaccine at special flu-shot clinics hosted by local elementary schools and senior citizens' centers. The special clinics will be open for three consecutive weekdays from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
 
Which of the following, if true, most strongly suggests that the governor's directive will not minimize the number of serious complications arising from influenza infections?

(A) Many of the state's residents question the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine.

(B) Most people between the ages of 12 and 80 who received the vaccine last year will not be eligible to receive the vaccine at the special flu-shot clinics.

(C) Of the patients who developed serious complications after contracting the influenza virus during the past decade, nearly ten percent had been vaccinated for the virus.

(D) The majority of the state's senior citizens over the age of 80 who live at home suffer from conditions that make transporting those citizens difficult, unsafe, or inconvenient.

(E) Some children under the age of 12 are home-schooled and have never been to any of the local elementary schools.

Verbal Question Of The Day: Day 82: Critical Reasoning 
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GMATNinja · Accepted Answer

Since the passage does not have a clear conclusion, let's make sure we understand the facts presented:

We are told that the demand for the influenza vaccine exceeds the supply in the state. 
 The governor has issued a directive in order to manage the impact of this shortage on public health. 
 According to the directive, the vaccine will "be made available first to groups most vulnerable to serious complications from the illness." We can infer that these groups are children under the age of 12 and seniors over the age of 80, since those groups will be given the first opportunity to receive the vaccine at special flu-shot clinics. 
 Those special flu-shot clinics will be hosted by local elementary schools and senior citizens' centers and will be open for three consecutive weekdays from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Now we need to select a statement that most strongly suggests that the governor's directive will  not  minimize the number of serious complications arising from influenza infections:

Although residents  question  the effectiveness of the vaccine, this does not tell us anything about the  actual  effectiveness of the vaccine. Thus, choice (A) does not suggest that the governor's plan will fail and can be eliminated.

As stated above, we can infer that children under the age of 12 and seniors over the age of 80 are the groups most vulnerable to serious complications from the illness. The governor wishes to minimize serious complications by ensuring that those groups receive the vaccine. It is true that  some  people between the ages of 12 and 80 who are unable to get the vaccine because of the new directive might end up developing serious complications. But this does not strongly suggest that those cases will outweigh the cases of serious complications prevented by vaccinating the most vulnerable groups. Thus, choice (B) can be eliminated.

This statement tells us that even if all children under the age of 12 and all seniors over the age of 80 receive the vaccine, some of those people will still end up developing serious complications. However, we need a choice that strongly suggests that the plan will fail to  minimize  the number of serious complications, not fail to  eliminate  the number of serious complications. Ten percent is a relatively small portion, so choice (C) does not strongly suggest that the governor's plan will fail. Eliminate (C).

If the majority of senior citizens over the age of 80 are unable to leave their homes, then they will be unable to receive the vaccine at the special clinics. Because demand for the vaccine exceeds supply, those people may be unable to receive the vaccine before supplies run out. Even though this choice has no impact on children under the age of 12, it presents a major flaw in the governor's plan. Hang on to choice (D).

It doesn't matter if the children have never been to the local elementary schools. As long as they  can  get to the elementary schools to receive the vaccine, the governor's plan is sound. Eliminate choice (E).

(D) is the best answer.

Skywalker18 · Answer

For the first time since influenza vaccines became popular, the demand for the vaccine exceeds the supply in our state. In order to manage the impact of this shortage on public health, the governor has issued a directive ordering that the vaccine be made available first to groups most vulnerable to serious complications from the illness. The directive states that all children under the age of 12 and all seniors over the age of 80 will be given the first opportunity to receive the vaccine at special flu-shot clinics hosted by local elementary schools and senior citizens' centers. The special clinics will be open for three consecutive weekdays from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
 
Type - Strengthen - the governor's directive will not minimize the number of serious complications arising from influenza infections
 
(A) Many of the state's residents question the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine. - Irrelevant - we are evaluating the success of governor's directive
(B) Most people between the ages of 12 and 80 who received the vaccine last year will not be eligible to receive the vaccine at the special flu-shot clinics. - Incorrect - this is not the target- most vulnerable age group
(C) Of the patients who developed serious complications after contracting the influenza virus during the past decade, nearly ten percent had been vaccinated for the virus. - Irrelevant - this questions the vaccine itself rather than the plan
(D) The majority of the state's senior citizens over the age of 80 who live at home suffer from conditions that make transporting those citizens difficult, unsafe, or inconvenient.- Correct - If most of the people of a vulnerable group will not go to receive the vaccine, then the number of serious complications is unlikely to decrease 
(E) Some children under the age of 12 are home-schooled and have never been to any of the local elementary schools. - warped answer - firstly it talks about only some children and just because children are home-schooled , it does not mean that they can't be taken to a local elementary school where the clinic has been set up

Answer D

gmatexam439 · Answer

Awaiting the OA.

My answer: D

For the first time since influenza vaccines became popular, the demand for the vaccine exceeds the supply in our state. In order to manage the impact of this shortage on public health, the governor has issued a directive ordering that the vaccine be made available first to groups most vulnerable to serious complications from the illness. The directive states that all children under the age of 12 and all seniors over the age of 80 will be given the first opportunity to receive the vaccine at special flu-shot clinics hosted by local elementary schools and senior citizens' centers. The special clinics will be open for three consecutive weekdays from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
 
Which of the following, if true, most strongly suggests that the governor's directive will not minimize the number of serious complications arising from influenza infections?
 
(A) Many of the state's residents question the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine.
 Doesn't matter, since the vaccine does what is does and it has become popular. Besides, it is not related to the argument.

(B) Most people between the ages of 12 and 80 who received the vaccine last year will not be eligible to receive the vaccine at the special flu-shot clinics.
 Ok, they might not be immediately eligible, but the governor must have thought about this before coming at any conclusion. This is just a fact statement.

(C) Of the patients who developed serious complications after contracting the influenza virus during the past decade, nearly ten percent had been vaccinated for the virus.
 Ok they may have been, but this doesn't weaken the governor's decision.

(D) The majority of the state's senior citizens over the age of 80 who live at home suffer from conditions that make transporting those citizens difficult, unsafe, or inconvenient.
 Correct. If the majority of 80+ people won't be able to reach the vaccine centres then it is a double loss for the nation. Since, 80+ people won't be able to get the vaccine plus other people between the range of 12 - 80 also won't be able to get the vaccine in their place.

(E) Some children under the age of 12 are home-schooled and have never been to any of the local elementary schools.
 Those children can always be taken to the school for vaccination.

akshayk · Answer

EDITED 
Demand for Influenza vaccine > Supply --> Governor has issued a directive i.e. vaccine be made available to groups MOST vulnerable to serious complications => Children below 12 and Adults over 80 will be given preference at LOCAL elementary schools and senior citizen's centers.
 
Which of the following, if true, most strongly suggests that the governor's directive will not minimize the number of serious complications arising from influenza infections?

This is irrelevant to the governor's directive. OUT!

We are only concerned with children below the age of 12, and adults above the age of 80, so the group between 12 and 80 is irrelevant to this passage. OUT!

I spent a good 15 seconds on this option as it did seem tempting, but it doesn't undermine the governor's directive BUT does state the the vaccine sucked for 10% of the patients. The plan could still work, and minimise serious complications. OUT!

If it'll be difficult to transport majority of the senior citizens to these elementary schools, or senior citizen homes then they would not be able to get the appropriate vaccine to prevent influenza. Seems like the correct answer.

Irrelevant. OUT.

D is the answer for me.

rs47 · Answer

Just a small doubt I had about option D.. This option talks about citizens over the age of 80.. The other priority group for the vaccines is children under the age of 12, a group which is not discussed in the option.. Hence, it is quite possible that the number of cases of serious complications from influenza could still be reduced (atleast in the case of children under the age of 12)..

Correct me if I'm wrong somewhere.. GMATNinja

Cheers :)

Correct me if I'm wrong somewhere..  GMATNinja

Cheers :)

gmatexam439 · Answer

Hi, I am no expert but let me give it a try.

The premise says that BOTH the groups are vulnerable. Yes, some children below the age of 12 will be saved but what about the other priority group. The premise doesn't make a distinction between 80+ and below 12 age groups. I considers BOTH the groups EQUALLY as priority groups.

Now if you want to weaken the argument, you must weaken the conclusion and NOT the premise, since a premise is always correct. In a strengthen/weaken question a correct answer choice can either weakly strengthen/weaken or strongly strengthen/weaken the argument. Albeit option D talks about only 80+ age group, it is definitely weakening the argument, since if 80+ people won't be vaccinated then the nation will suffer a DOUBLE BLOW.
1. Majority of 80+ people won't get vaccinated.
2. This vaccine could have been given to the people in the 12 - 80 age group.

Thus, even if this option doesn't talk about the other priority group, it definitely weakens the argument.

Hope that helps :) 
Please correct me if you find anything susceptible.

Regards

rs47 · Answer

Hi  gmatexam439 .. Thanks for your reply.. However, if you see the question, it talks  only  about reduction in the number of cases of serious complications:

"Which of the following, if true, most strongly suggests that the governor's directive  will not minimize the number of serious complications arising  from influenza infections?"

So, if the number of cases in the under-12 demographic group is reduced, the governor's directive would not really be weakened.. Option D can be chosen on the grounds that it is the best amongst the given ones.. But IMHO, it is not a very strong option..

Please correct me if I'm wrong somewhere..

gmatexam439 · Answer

Hi rs47,

Yes you are correct, BUT only when we speak of the rule in general terms. 
Generally, if in a question we have a list of things/events/options, then a true strengthener/weakener will take into account all the things/events/options.

However, in this very question we can not argue easily by saying that what if all the children below the age of 12 were vaccinated? This is because, we ought to MINIMISE the count and thus even if we prove that any one priority group will be negatively impacted, we WILL HAVE made our point that the MINIMISATION hasn't taken place.

Hope it makes sense.

Regards

rs47 · Answer

Thanks gmatexam439 for your reply.. But to be honest, I'm not very convinced with this line of reasoning and I feel that the answer to a strengthen question should should take into account all options.. That said, in this case, I think I should just accept the answer and move on..

Had the same question appeared on my actual gmat, I guess I may have chosen the wrong option..

Cheers!! :)

Had the same question appeared on my actual gmat, I guess I may have chosen the wrong option..

Cheers!! :)

gmatexam439 · Answer

This is the beauty of GMAT, it's so diverse that it makes one feel very compassionate about itself. One just cannot stop thinking and growing.
Lets wait for Sir Charles OE. :)

Regards

Gegeyan · Answer

The majority of the state's senior citizens over the age of 80 who live at home suffer from conditions that make transporting those citizens  difficult, unsafe, or inconvenient .

Difficult, unsafe or inconvenient does not mean that senior citizens cannot receive vaccines, right?

Option C says that nearly ten percent had been vaccinated for the virus, and it implies that nearly 90 percent had not been vaccinated for the virus. In turn, these people could possibly spread the virus.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

chrisbender · Answer

The who in answer choice d makes this question poorly written. We have no way of knowing how many people over the age 80 live at home. What if it's 3 and 2 are unable to receive vaccines. I would agree the gmat ninja's answer but the answer choice doesn't refer to all people who are over 80 just those who live at home.

jkrishh7 · Answer

Summary of passage
Governor wants to give shots to old age people and children first as supply is less demand is more. So we need to focus on what are the possible ways the idea may fail?

(A) Many of the state's residents question the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine. ( Out of context )

(B) Most people between the ages of 12 and 80 who received the vaccine last year will not be eligible to receive the vaccine at the special flu-shot clinics.

(C) Of the patients who developed serious complications after contracting the influenza virus during the past decade, nearly ten percent had been vaccinated for the virus.

(D) The majority of the state's senior citizens over the age of 80 who live at home suffer from conditions that make transporting those citizens difficult, unsafe, or inconvenient. (Correct Answer)

(E) Some children under the age of 12 are home-schooled and have never been to any of the local elementary schools. ( Compare D & E, still home schooled children can be made to reach vaccination centre )

FLCGMAT123 · Answer

I would be surprised if this is an official question. “The majority of people over 80 that live at home” what if there are 3 people out of 100000 that live at home and the majority is only 2 out of the 3. Guess D is the best answer but not a great question IMO

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For the first time since influenza vaccines became popular, the demand

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