For the First Time Since Influenza Vaccines Became Popular, the Demand for the Vaccine Exceeds the Supply in Our State.

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.

“For the first time since influenza vaccines became popular, the demand for the vaccine exceeds the supply in our state.” -this is a GMAT Critical reasoning question. This particular GMAT Critical Reasoning topic has been taken from ‘GMAT Prep Plus 2021’. This particular question is Strengthen the Argument type. For this type, the candidates need to strengthen an argument by providing a piece of supportive evidence or statement. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. Critical reasoning in GMAT requires candidates to find the strengths and weaknesses of the argument, or find the logical flaw in the argument. The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.

Answer: D
Explanation: This is a strengthen type GMAT question.

Hypothesis: The governor has issued a directive ordering that the vaccine is made available first to groups most vulnerable to serious complications from the illness.

Conclusion: The hypothesis refers that it can be concluded that the number of serious complications will not minimize.

Let us check the options that strongly suggest that the governor's directive will not minimize the number of serious complications arising:

(A) Incorrect.
Option A is not correct because it states that the vaccine does what it does and it has become popular. Additionally, this statement was not required in this argument.

(B) Incorrect.
Option B states that the governor might not be immediately eligible for any remedy. The governor may have thought about the issue before coming to any conclusion. Though this is just a factual statement, it does not support the argument.

(C) Incorrect.
Option C is incorrect because it doesn't weaken the governor's decision.

(D) Correct.
Option B states that in case the majority of more than 80 people would not be able to reach the vaccine centers then it is a loss for the country. As more than 80 people are likely to get
the vaccine along with other people ranging between of 12 - 80 age group. So, they also won't be able to get the vaccine.

(E) Incorrect.
Option C is incorrect because it states that children can be taken to school for their vaccination.

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