Doctors Give New Advice on Flu and Covid Shots for Fall
Listen to the story
Leading medical groups in the United States have released updated guidance on flu, Covid, and R.S.V. vaccines ahead of this fall.
The advice is meant to help clear up confusion that many people feel about which vaccines they need.
Several medical organizations are now urging Americans to get both flu and Covid shots this season.
This recommendation stands in contrast to guidance coming from the Trump administration.
The differing advice has left some people unsure about what steps to take.
Fall and winter are traditionally the seasons when respiratory illnesses spread the most.
R.S.V., which mainly affects breathing, can be especially serious for young children and older adults.
Doctors say getting vaccinated can lower the risk of serious illness during these months.
Medical groups have stressed that their goal is to give the public simple, trustworthy information.
They are encouraging people to speak with their own doctors about which vaccines fit their personal health needs.
The disagreement between medical experts and government guidance shows how public health messaging can sometimes become complicated.
Despite the confusion, health officials continue to emphasize the importance of vaccination as a tool for preventing illness.
Vocabulary10 words
- guidance
- official advice on what to do
- confusion
- a feeling of not understanding something clearly
- organizations
- groups formed for a shared purpose
- administration
- the group of people running the government
- respiratory illnesses
- sicknesses that affect breathing
- public health
- the health of a whole community
- emphasize
- to show something is very important
- vaccinated
- given a shot to prevent a disease
- trustworthy
- able to be believed or trusted
- risk
- the chance of something bad happening
Quiz
Answer key
1. Get flu and Covid shots 2. It contradicts it 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Leading medical groups in the United States have released updated _____ on flu, Covid, and R.S.V. vaccines ahead of this fall.
The advice is meant to help clear up _____ that many people feel about which vaccines they need.
Several medical _____ are now urging Americans to get both flu and Covid shots this season.
This recommendation stands in contrast to guidance coming from the Trump _____.
Fall and winter are traditionally the seasons when _____ illnesses spread the most.
R.S.V., which mainly affects breathing, can be especially serious for young children and older adults.
Doctors say getting _____ can lower the risk of serious illness during these months.
Medical groups have stressed that their goal is to give the public simple, _____ information.
The disagreement between medical experts and government guidance shows how _____ messaging can sometimes become complicated.
Despite the confusion, health officials continue to _____ the importance of vaccination as a tool for preventing illness.
Discussion questions
- Do you usually get a flu shot every year? Why or why not?
- Why do you think there is confusion about vaccine advice in some countries?
- How important do you think it is for medical experts and governments to agree on health advice?
- What steps do you personally take to stay healthy during flu season?
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