Cameroon has begun the world’s first major malaria vaccine program for children. The campaign launched Monday in the Central African nation. Health officials called the effort a momentous step in the fight against the disease across Africa. The continent accounts for about 95 percent of the world’s malaria deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the disease, which is spread through mosquitos, kills more than 600,000 people a year. Most of the deaths involve young children.

The vaccine, called RTS.S, was developed by British drug company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). It is meant to work with other preventive measures, such as the use of bed nets, to fight the disease. Cameroon is the first country to offer vaccine injections (注射) through a routine program after successful tests, or trials, which were carried out in Ghana and Kenya. Cameroon hopes to vaccinate about 250,000 children this year and next.

Cameroon is using one of two recently approved malaria vaccines, called Mosquirix. When the WHO approved the vaccine two years ago, officials admitted it was not perfect. But they noted its use could sharply reduce severe infections and hospitalizations.

The GSK-produced shot is only about 30 percent effective. It requires four shots, or doses. Tests have shown the vaccine’s protection begins to weaken after several months. GSK has said it can only produce about 15 million doses of Mosquirix a year. Some experts believe a second malaria vaccine developed by Oxford University and approved by the WHO in October may be a better solution. That vaccine, called R21, is less costly and only requires three doses. Launching the second vaccine is expected to result in enough vaccine supply “to meet the high demand and reach millions more children,” said Kate O’Brien. She is the WHO’s director of vaccinations.

India’s Serum Institute — which helped develop the R21 vaccine — has said it could produce up to 200 million doses of it a year. Gavi has said that the vaccine could be launched in May or June. 

1.Which has the closest meaning to the underlined word “momentous”?

A Meaningless.

B Greedy.

C Ridiculous.

D Major.

解析：选D。D词义猜测题。根据划线部分后面的“The continent accounts for about 95 percent of the world’s malaria deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the disease, which is spread through mosquitos, kills more than 600,000 people a year. Most of the deaths involve young children.”可知，非洲大陆约占世界疟疾死亡人数的95%，世界卫生组织估计，这种疾病每年导致60多万人死亡，大多数死亡涉及幼儿，因此可推断这项努力是非洲抗击该疾病的重要一步。故选D。

2.Which of the following statements about RTS.S is TRUE?

A It was developed by an American drug company.

B People can use it without other preventive measures.

C It’s widely accepted because of its long-term effectiveness.

D RTS.S is capable of saving lives to some extent.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第二段第一句的“The vaccine, called RTS.S, was developed by British drug company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).”可知，这种疫苗由英国葛兰素史克公司研发，并非美国公司，A项错误；根据第二段第二句“It is meant to work with other preventive measures, such as the use of bed nets, to fight the disease.”可知，人们在抗击疟疾的过程中依然不能放弃蚊帐这种传统方法，B错误；根据第四段第三句“Tests have shown the vaccine’s protection begins to weaken after several months.”可知，测试表明，疫苗的保护作用在几个月后开始减弱，C项错误；根据第三段最后一句“But they noted its use could sharply reduce severe infections and hospitalizations.”可知，使用该疫苗可以大大减少严重感染和住院人数，因此“RTS.S”疫苗能够在一定程度上挽救生命。选D。

3.What’s Kate O’Brien’s attitude to the launch of the second vaccine?

A Disapproving.

B Doubtful.

C Positive.

D Uncaring.

解析：选C。C推理判断题。根据第四段倒数第二句“Launching the second vaccine is expected to result in enough vaccine supply ‘to meet the high demand and reach millions more children,’ said Kate O’Brien.”可知，Kate O’Brien认为，推出第二款疟疾疫苗R21预计将带来足够的疫苗供应，以满足高需求，并惠及数百万儿童，因此她对R21的推出持积极态度。故选C。

4.In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?

A Entertainment.

B Health.

C Education.

D Science.

解析：选B。B推理判断题。根据全文内容可知，本文主要讲了喀麦隆启动全球首款疟疾疫苗“RTS.S”的接种工作，属于“健康”版块的内容。故选B。