The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday approved the release of 164,700 doses of Novavax vaccines for the XBB.1.5 variant of SARS-CoV-2, which are expected to be ready for distribution by Tuesday.
A total of 330,000 doses arrived in Taiwan at the end of last year, but only 132,200 doses were approved for release amid concern over proper storage temperature during delivery, prompting a request for Novavax to provide documentation that the vaccines are still valid.
The FDA also confirmed that another 165,000 doses are to arrive by the end of the month, as more people test positive for the XBB.1.5 subvariant across Taiwan and in the region.
Photo: Chiu Chih-jou, Taipei Times
Local vaccinations rose 33 percent from Monday to Thursday compared with last week, the FDA said.
To date, the government has administered Moderna’s XBB vaccine to 1.13 million people and Novavax’s XBB vaccine to 660,000 people.
With a cold wave forecast to arrive tomorrow, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reminded people to dress accordingly when attending year-end banquets and other events.
The CDC recommended that those eligible for vaccination to get their shots as soon as possible to maximize protection.
People aged 12 or older can choose either the Moderna or Novavax vaccine, while children aged six months to 11 years old who are eligible for vaccination should only receive the Moderna vaccine.
The CDC said the public can consult the Fall-Winter vaccines page on its Web site for more information on hospitals and clinics offering such services.
CDC Deputy Director-General Philip Lo (羅一鈞) said that the government had 4.3 million Moderna XBB variant vaccines in storage and 60,000 Novavax vaccines.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College
RSS