V21-34

Official Solution:


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.


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

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

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

(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

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

(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

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)

(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

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)

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

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


Answer: D