TAIPEI – Taiwan has begun administering its first domestically developed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, amid criticism that its approval was rushed.
The island’s health ministry authorized emergency use of the Medigen vaccine last month, although clinical trials are yet to be completed.
President Tsai Ing-wen led the way in receiving the Medigen jab on Monday.
At the time of its approval, the vaccine – made by Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corporation – has yet to complete phase three trials but was granted emergency approval by regulators.
The company said there were no major safety concerns and studies showed that antibodies created were “no worse than” those created by AstraZeneca’s vaccine.
It’s expected to complete the final round of trials being held in Paraguay later this year.(BBC)
