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Taiwan clears Medigen Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use
- Antibodies created by candidate proven to be ‘no worse than’ those produced by AstraZeneca shot, with no major safety concerns, health ministry says
- Move is a key step in island’s goal of developing its own jab, and according to minister there should be a small supply available in August
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Taiwan’s government on Monday approved the use and production of Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp’s Covid-19 vaccine candidate, a major step in the island’s plans to develop its own vaccines to protect against the coronavirus.
Taiwan-based Medigen said last month it was seeking a speedy emergency use authorisation, or EUA, from the government for its vaccine candidate after safely completing phase 2 trials.
Developing its own vaccine has been a major goal of Taiwan’s government, though it also has ordered some 20 million shots from Moderna, AstraZeneca and the Covax Facility global sharing scheme.
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The health ministry said in clinical trials in Taiwan the antibodies created by Medigen’s vaccine candidate had been proven to be “no worse than” those created by AstraZeneca vaccines, and that there were no major safety concerns.
The ministry added that Medigen had to present a monthly report on safety for the vaccine candidate, MVC-COV1901, which is designed for people aged over 20, who will get two shots 28 days apart.
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All eyes on Taiwan’s home-grown vaccines as 2 local developers await emergency approval
All eyes on Taiwan’s home-grown vaccines as 2 local developers await emergency approval
Health Minister Chen Shih-chung told reporters that with the EUA approved, it would now take some time for the company to ramp up its production.
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