Taiwan approves local Covid jab for emergency use

Taiwan's government yesterday said it had granted emergency-use approval to a coronavirus vaccine made locally by Medigen, with experts saying early data suggested it was similarly effective to AstraZeneca's jabs. 

The decision is a boost for the island, which has struggled to secure enough vaccines for its 23 million people, reports AFP. Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp's  vaccine -- known officially as MVC-COV1901 -- has yet to finish clinical trials although it published promising phase-two data last month. Taiwan's health ministry said a panel of experts approved its use on Sunday and that the first inoculations for the public could begin as early as August.