Jabs are Making the Headlines: But what are they?

It's a great day for medicine today, with the first person outside of a trial receiving the Covid-19 jab at 6.30 am this morning in the UK.

Upgrade Your OET Vocabulary: Vocabulary Quiz

But what are jabs? Watch our YouTube video to test your knowledge.

If you feel like doing a bit more studying for your OET (Occupational English Test), then why not read this article on the BBC website (up until the photograph Health Secretary Matt Hancock) and take a look a the vocabulary questions below.

Upgrade Your OET Vocabulary: Words in the News

Fill in the missing words to form useful collocations (words that often go together in English)

1. the ___________ vaccination programme

2. Margaret Keenan, who ___________ 91 next week

3. She was ___________ the injection

4. ___________ in the UK will vaccinate over-80s

5. I can't thank May (the Matron who gave her the injection) and the NHS staff ___________...

6. ...who have looked ___________ me tremendously

7. Sister Joanna Sloan, who will ___________ up the...

8. ... vaccine ___________ in Belfast

9. regulators ___________ its use last week

10. a"long ___________ ahead of us but this marks the way out..."

Now match the collocations with their meanings

a. the introduction of a new programme / product / service - or in this case, vaccine

b. a less formal way of saying "administered'

c. a huge number

d. a long and hard journey, often the way soldiers move together = in this case / an idiomatic way of saying something won't be easy but will need military - style planning.

e. lead

f. becomes (an age) / has a birthday

g. an important place where a particular activity takes place - in this case where the vaccine will be given to patients)

h. said it was OK to use (because they had tested it)

i. No words can express how grateful I am

j. taken care of me

Answer Key

1. the mass vaccination programme = c

2. Margaret Keenan, who turns 91 next week = f

3. She was given the injection = b

4. Hubs in the UK will vaccinate over-80s = g

5. I can't thank May (the Matron who gave her the injection) and the NHS staff enough... = i

6. ...who have looked after me tremendously = j

7. Sister Joanna Sloan, who will head up the... = e

8. ... vaccine roll out in Belfast = a

9. regulators approved its use last week = h

10. a"long march ahead of us but this marks the way out..." = d