TAIPEI: President Tsai Ing-wen got vaccinated with Taiwan's first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, giving her personal stamp of approval as the island begins rolling out the shot whose approval critics say has been rushed.
The health ministry last month approved the emergency use of Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp's COVID-19 vaccine, part of a broader plan for inoculation self-sufficiency as delays in vaccine deliveries from global drug companies have affected Taiwan and many other countries.
Tsai, who had held off using vaccines from Moderna Inc or AstraZeneca Plc, the current mainstay of Taiwan's vaccination programme, received her Medigen shot at a hospital in central Taipei, demonstrating her confidence in the safety of the vaccine.
Tsai chatted to medical workers as they prepared her shot, the whole process being broadcast live on her Facebook page, and gave a short response of "no" to a shouted question from reporters about whether she was nervous.
"It doesn't hurt, I'm in good spirits, and I'm going to continue working for the day," she later wrote on Facebook.
The government says the initial experience of the pandemic last year, when basic supplies such as face masks were in short supply, made it realise they had to be able to rely on themselves for critical materials.
Medigen, whose Chinese name literally means "high-end", rejects claims its vaccine is either unsafe or that it has been sent to market with undue haste, saying it is effective and well tested.
"We have done so many experiments, everyone has seen how safe our vaccine is," Medigen's Chief Executive Officer Charles Chen told Reuters.
CONCERNS
The recombinant protein vaccine has been developed in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health in the United States, and the government has ordered an initial 5 million doses. It says nobody will be forced to get it.
The vaccine has yet to finish clinical trials and no efficacy data is available, but the government says studies so far have shown that antibodies created by the shot have been "no worse than" those created by AstraZeneca's vaccine.
Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang, or KMT, has mounted a fierce campaign against the shot, saying that while it supports domestic vaccines, Medigen's approval has been rushed.
"There is no need for the lives and health of the Taiwanese people to serve as white rats in a laboratory," Ho Chih-yung, deputy head of the KMT's international department, told Reuters.
Around 40% of Taiwan's 23.5 million people have received at least one shot of either of the two-dose AstraZeneca or Moderna vaccines, though fewer than 5% are fully vaccinated.
However, unlike some other parts of Asia, Taiwan faces no huge pressure to accelerate its vaccination drive, with domestic infections well under control. It has reported 15,932 infections since the pandemic began, including 828 deaths.
Taiwan has received more than 10 million vaccine doses to date, and in July ordered a further 36 million doses of Moderna's.
People who spoke to Reuters in Taipei after getting the Medigen shot said they had no particular concerns about it.
"I think my body is pretty good because I do dragon boat racing, so I can be a lab rat," said bank worker Wu Meng-ru, 30.
Reuters
Mon Aug 23 2021
A nurse administers a dose of Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp's COVID-19 vaccine, a domestically developed vaccine against the disease, for Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen at National Taiwan University Hospital in Taipei. - REUTERS/Annabelle Chih
War has knocked Gaza back to the 1950s, UNDP says
The Gaza Strip and the Israeli-occupied West Bank was now 35% smaller than it was at the start of Israel's invasion of Gaza a year ago.
UN agency head calls for temporary truce in northern Gaza
Health officials say they are running out of supplies to treat patients hurt in a three-week-old Israeli offensive.
RMAF denies sound of explosion, tremors felt in Ipoh caused by sonic boom
RMAF says there were no RMAF fighter aircraft flights, nor foreign aircraft that were said to have invaded the country's airspace.
Lawsuits against Sean 'Diddy' Combs pile up as his lawyers seek gag order
Some lawsuits said unidentified celebrities also assaulted Sean 'Diddy' Combs' accusers.
Security guard pleads not guilty to raping daughter, causing hurt to three other children
The man was charged with raping the girl at a public housing estate in Cheras, from December 2023 until February this year
BRICS economic dominance taking shape, West can do nothing about it - French politician
The economic growth of the BRICS countries is twice as high as the G7 growth rate, says Florian Philippot.
Indian doctors call off protest hunger strike over medic's murder
Some strike participants suffered severe dehydration and had to be admitted to hospital.
Indonesian President Prabowo plans new state investment firm
The intention is so that investments that are scattered can be consolidated and can be leveraged, says Muliaman Hadad.
Musk warns of risks of US going bankrupt
Elon Musk says the interest on the debt is trending to rapidly absorb all tax revenue, leaving nothing for critical needs.
Free to organise assembly, but comply with stipulated rules - Shamsul Anuar
Datuk Seri Dr. Shamsul Anuar says the organiser is required to notify PDRM within five days before the date of the proposed assembly.
JBIC commits to enhancing Japanese investments in Malaysia - PM
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says JBIC is currently actively discussing investments with local companies in various industries.
Son of Singapore's founder says he is now political refugee as family spat snowballs
Lee Hsien Yang says Britain has determined he faces a well-founded risk of persecution, and cannot safely return to Singapore.
Rafizi to present on key issues affecting Global South in BRICS Summit
Minister of Economy Rafizi Ramli is scheduled to deliver Malaysia's national statement at BRICS Outreach/BRICS Plus Summit in Kazan, Russia.
'Blade Runner 2049' producer sues Tesla, Warner Bros over AI images
Alcon said it had refused a request from Warner Bros to use images from the firm for Tesla's Oct. 10 live-streamed cybercab unveiling.
Hezbollah says launches volley of rockets into Israel, Blinken returns seeking ceasefire
Hezbollah says it had fired rockets at the base used by Israel's military intelligence, and the Nirit area in Tel Aviv's suburbs.
Sirens sounded in central Israel after a projectile crossed from Lebanon, Israeli army says
Sirens blare in central Israel as the army reports a projectile from Lebanon landing in open ground.
China unveils first diagnosis guidelines to battle escalating obesity crisis
Obesity has become a major public health issue in China, ranking as the sixth leading risk factor for death and disability in the country.
Brazil within BRICS advocates for reform of global governance, including UN
Eduardo Paes Saboia says there were also many international agreements that were "being destroyed."
41 Palestinians brought to M'sia received necessary treatment
The Defence Ministry denied claims that the govt's efforts in bringing the Palestinians to Malaysia for treatment as for political survival.
Shooting in Washington state leaves 5 dead; 15-year-old boy is in custody
The boy taken into custody was booked at the King County juvenile detention facility.