Taiwan began administering the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine March 22, with Premier Su Tseng-chang and Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung receiving the first shots.
According to the Executive Yuan, Su got his initial dose at National Taiwan University Hospital in Taipei City as per arrangements by the Central Epidemic Command Center. He felt no pain or discomfort after 30 minutes of observation and will receive the second round as scheduled by the hospital, the EY added.
Su said the first batch of imported vaccines have undergone inspections to safeguard the health of front-line medical workers. The government will continue leaving no stone unturned in developing domestically made vaccines while purchasing more from abroad, he said.
A total of 116,500 doses of the AZ vaccine had been sealed and delivered to 57 designated sites by March 18, the CECC said, adding that priority will be given to medical personnel working at COVID-19 and negative pressure isolation wards, as well as staff members responsible for specimen collection. The center also advised people who are taking contraceptive pills or undergoing hormone therapy not to receive the immunization.
To efficiently monitor the health of vaccinated individuals, a reporting platform called Taiwan V-Watch System was established by Centers for Disease Control and New Taipei City-headquartered HTC Corp., according to the CECC. The system also provides information about vaccines and reminders of injection schedules via the CDC’s official Line chatbot, the center said.
Latest CECC statistics reveal 1,006 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Taiwan and 10 deaths, with 33 patients still receiving treatment at hospitals countrywide. (YCH-E)
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