Tsai Ing-wen gets jab of Medigen shot, Taiwan’s first domestic COVID-19 vaccine

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Category: Health

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. (one's) stamp of approval / stæmp əv əˈpru vəl / (idiom) – something that shows one’s approval of something/someone
    Example:

    The critics gave the new film their stamp of approval.


  2. rush / rʌʃ / (v.) – to do or finish something in a hurry
    Example:

    Sandra rushed her homework in the morning because she forgot to do it the night before.


  3. self-sufficiency / ˈsɛlf səˈfɪʃ ən si / (n.) – the ability to live or function without needing help or support from others
    Example:

    Mary had to learn self-sufficiency when she moved far away from her family.


  4. hold off / hoʊld ɒf / (phrasal v.) – to delay doing something until a later time
    Example:

    The couple decided to hold off their wedding so they could save more money.


  5. dose / doʊs / (n.) – an amount of medicine that should be taken at one time
    Example:

    You need to take the right dose of medicine for it to work.


Article

Read the text below.

President Tsai Ing-wen got vaccinated with Taiwan’s first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine on Aug. 23, giving it her stamp of approval as the island begins rolling out the shot, even as critics say its approval has been rushed.


The health ministry approved the emergency use of Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp.’s COVID-19 vaccine in July, part of a broader plan for inoculation self-sufficiency as delays in vaccine deliveries from global drug companies have affected Taiwan and many other countries.


Tsai, who had held off using vaccines from Moderna or AstraZeneca, the mainstays of Taiwan’s vaccination program, received her Medigen shot at a hospital in central Taipei, demonstrating her confidence in the safety of the vaccine.


Around 40% of Taiwan’s 23.5 million people have received at least one shot of either of the two-dose AstraZeneca or Moderna vaccines. The island’s vaccination policy is to prioritize first shots, with only the most high-risk groups — such as medical workers — initially getting the full two doses. (Reuters, AP)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Medigen is Taiwan’s first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine. Do you think all countries should focus on developing their own vaccines? Would you prefer a domestic vaccine over one developed overseas? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • President Tsai had held off getting the Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines in order to display her confidence in the Medigen vaccine. If you were President Tsai, would you have done the same thing? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Taiwan’s vaccination policy is to prioritize first shots, with only the most high-risk groups initially getting the full two doses. Did your country focus on first doses like Taiwan and Canada, or did it aim for full vaccination like the US? Do you find it confusing that countries have such different vaccination policies? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In Taiwan, only the most high-risk groups – such as medical workers – are initially getting the full two doses. Do you think it’s good to prioritize some groups (ex. medical workers, people over age 65), or should everyone who wants a vaccine be able to immediately get one? Why? Discuss.