While proponents argue about the benefits of vaccination for children

Question

While proponents argue about the benefits of vaccination for children, there is hardly any concrete data to back up their claims. However, not only is the efficacy of the vaccines questionable but also are there possible chances of it causing various mental illnesses such as autism. Children who have been vaccinated have a probability of getting the diseases that they have been vaccinated against just slightly lower than national average of all children including the children who have not been vaccinated. So, there is hardly any benefit derived from vaccinations.

Which of the following statements best counters the above argument?

A. A recent study investigating the possible causes of autism found out that the incidence of autism in children who have been vaccinated was slightly higher than children who have not been vaccinated.

B. Since vaccination was made compulsory for children to be eligible for medical aid, the national average for the incidence of such diseases has increased.

C. A recent study concluded that before vaccination, a large majority of children who are now vaccinated possessed immune system much weaker than that of those who are not.

D. The original immune system on birth for the children who have been vaccinated and for the children who have not been vaccinated is, on an average, of equal strength.

E. A number of states have made vaccination compulsory for the children.

tejaswym95 · Answer

Hello experts,  GMATNinja

Could you please explain, in option C, how does information before the vaccination help us undermine the conclusion? Rather it shouldve been that the children had much stronger immune system after vaccination.

Anshurana · Answer

Hi

I would like to contribute my 2 cents.
I hope it helps.
A. A recent study investigating the possible causes of autism found out that the incidence of autism in children who have been vaccinated was slightly higher than children who have not been vaccinated.-  Instead of weakening its making the argument stronger, by saying vaccinated children have more cases of autism . --  OUT

B. Since vaccination was made compulsory for children to be eligible for medical aid, the national average for the incidence of such diseases has increased. --  This option also making the argument Stronger by saying from the time vaccination is made compulsory , incidence of diseases have increased  -- OUT

C. A recent study concluded that before vaccination, a large majority of children who are now vaccinated possessed immune system much weaker than that of those who are not.   CORRECT   
 According to this option, if we compare a non-vaccinated children to a vaccinated one,a non-vaccinated has weaker immune system, before they got vaccinated. This means after vaccination their immune system improved so this option is actually hurting the argument's claim" that there is hardly any benefit derived from vaccinations."  by providing recent study proof that vaccination has its benefits

D. The original immune system on birth for the children who have been vaccinated and for the children who have not been vaccinated is, on an average, of equal strength.--  OUT OF SCOPE as its comparing original immune system

E. A number of states have made vaccination compulsory for the children-  OUT OF SCOPE

AshutoshB · Answer

Conclusion : Vaccination is not any helpful Reasoning : It increases the chances of Autism and slightly lower probability of getting the disease ( for which they have been vaccinated) than the general population) Type : Weaken A. A recent study investigating the possible causes of autism found out that the incidence of autism in children who have been vaccinated was slightly higher than children who have not been vaccinated. Strengthen the conclusion B. Since vaccination was made compulsory for children to be eligible for medical aid, the national average for the incidence of such diseases has increased. Out Of Scope C. A recent study concluded that before vaccination, a large majority of children who are now vaccinated possessed the immune system much weaker than that of those who are not. Correct as it shows the author is comparing the different set of population and vaccination is helpful as it increased the weak immune system of administered children D. The original immune system on birth for the children who have been vaccinated and for the children who have not been vaccinated is, on average, of equal strength. Strengthen the conclusion E. A number of states have made vaccination compulsory for the children. Out Of Scope DM if you have any queries.I would love to help

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Hi Tejaswy

Let me try to address your query.

The conclusion given in the stimulus is that "there is hardly any benefit derived from vaccinations", which we are asked to weaken. Therefore, we are looking for answer options that speak to the benefits of vaccination.

Option (C) states: "...before vaccination, a large majority of children who are now vaccinated possessed immune system much weaker than that of those who are not."

We also know from the stimulus that "Children who have been vaccinated have a probability of getting the diseases that they have been vaccinated against just slightly lower than national average of all children including the children who have not been vaccinated."

Hence, the complementary set ie; children who have not been vaccinated, must have a higher probability of getting these diseases than the children who have been vaccinated. Combining this with option (C), which says that pre-vaccination, these children had a much weaker immune system, we can reach the conclusion that the immune system of the vaccinated children became stronger post vaccination, providing a benefit of vaccination (that of strengthening the immune system). Therefore, this option weakens the argument.

Hope this helps.

Skanders · Answer

Hi,

Wouldn’t it be better if option C can be punctuated as: A recent study concluded that before vaccination, a large majority of children who are now vaccinated, possessed immune system much weaker than that of those who are not.

This would reduce the ambiguity and confusion.

While proponents argue about the benefits of vaccination for children

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While proponents argue about the benefits of vaccination for children

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