One of the possible ways to end the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is to develop COVID-19 vaccine and effective vaccination strategies. Some COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized for emergency use in a number of countries, and are currently in use around the world. These include an adenovirus-based vaccine (Astra-Zeneca), and two messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines (mRNA-1273, manufactured by Moderna; BNT162b2, manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech). These vaccines have been shown to be adequate in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection, minimizing disease incidence, severity and mortality, according to current pre-licensure vaccine efficacy research and post-licensure vaccine effectiveness evaluations. Specific local reactions are common adverse reactions after receiving these vaccinations, and serious adverse events occur infrequently. However, more data is required after global vaccination to estimate long-term efficacy and protection in real-world condition, as well as the effects of vaccine against virus variants. Currently, the majority of studies indicate that vaccination protects people from COVID-19 and the benefits outweigh the risks. To reduce COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality, we encourage people who are prioritized in the immunization program to get vaccines as soon as possible.
Since 2011 to 2013, Port of Kaohsiung had established core capacities for IHR designated port and had been assessed by experts from Japan and Australia. In 2017, the Executive Yuan issued ＂Project for Operation and Maintenance of Core Capacities at IHR Designated Port＂, which regulated that external assessment be conducted every 5 years. In 2018, European Union experts were invited to conduct the assessment, which included not only regular documents and sites review, but also evaluation of the capabilities of integration and responses of all authorities at Port of Kaohsiung. In responding to the experts' assessment, Port of Kaohsiung conducted series of improvements. These measures included correction of algorithm of incident reporting at port, assured notification of vector surveillance results and feedback from affected units, expansion of isolation and evacuation capacity, reinforcement of notification and return mechanism for radioactive containers, and a bunkered water safety plan including periodic residual chlorine and Legionella monitoring. After the improvement results were submitted to the panel experts as a required reference for final scoring, Port of Kaohsiung received full marks and was certified as a port with sustainable development and recognized its core capacities.
Facing the pandemic of emerging infectious diseases, in addition to non-pharmaceutical interventions, an effective drug can slow the spread of the epidemic and reduce the impact, which is an important weapon before the vaccine coming to fruition. Initially, the research of COVID-19 drug treatment was mainly based on the experience and development of the treatment for other coronavirus infections (SARS, MERS), for example, remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir and interferon. According to the result of the latest large randomized clinical trial, Taiwan Food and Drug Administration had conditionally approved remdesivir on May 30, 2020, for the treatment of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although the virus was cleared in the initial small-scale studies of hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine treatment, a larger retrospective study found that hydroxychloroquine did not reduce the risk of death or intubation in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections, furthermore, might cause side effects. Low-dose steroids (dexamethasone) was found to reduce the risk of mortality among patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infections, which was currently the treatment option with the strongest scientific evidence. Before the best treatment evidence appears, medical personnel should avoid being affected by rumors or exaggerated messages, and should provide experimental treatments with the best available evidence, ethical approval and patient's informed consent. The government and scientific societies should also systematically collect patients' treatment information and effectively analyze these valuable treatment experiences.
The serious unique infectious pneumonia (COVID-19), caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-coV-2) in Wuhan, China in late 2019, has rapidly spread and become a global pandemic. It resulted in crises menacing people's health, lives, international engagement and economic systems. Thus, a vaccine holds most potential for a rapid means of resolving the pandemic before the end of 2021. There are 23 different candidate vaccines worldwide that have entered into clinical trials. Among them, the two that have progressed the fastest are Sinovac Biotech's inactivated vaccine and the recombinant vaccine (ChAdOx1-S) developed by Oxford University, which are already in the third phase of clinical trials. In late April 2020, WHO, EU and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation launched the ACT Accelerator Plan to acquire more COVID-19 tools. Also, GAVI, CEPI and WHO are jointly promoting the COVAX Facility, responsible for coordinating and integrating resources among worldwide vaccine developers and manufacturers. In addition to assuming risks of vaccine development, they also provide early investment in candidate vaccine products. These efforts increase chances of successful vaccine development as they expedite safe, efficient development and mass manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines. This will result in the common goal of equitable distribution of vaccines for every nation.
