Taiwan To Purchase Millions of COVID-19 Vaccines

A spokesperson for the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) in Taiwan announced on May 30, 2021, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control had signed contracts with Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp. and United Biomedical to buy ten million COVID-19 vaccine doses from each, reported CNA.

Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) informed local reporters that the vaccines developed by Medigen and United Biomedical are still in second-stage clinical trials.

United Biomedical began second-stage clinical trials for the vaccine in January, and over 4,000 participants have received the required two doses to date, a company spokesperson told CNA.

The companies have said they plan to apply in June 2021 for emergency use authorization.

During 2021, Taiwan had received 726,600 doses of AstraZeneca and 150,000 doses of Moderna. A total of 378,277 people have received their first COVID-19 shots, according to the latest CECC data.

Additionally, media reported the CECC indicated 'there are no immediate plans to impose a full lockdown in Taiwan, although some cities and counties have been carrying out computerized drills to prepare for such an eventuality.'

As of May 19, 2021, the U.S. CDC issued a Level 1 Travel Alert, which stated, 'If you travel to Taiwan, get fully vaccinated before travel.'