YariGuy

No specific info yet, but from another source (in Chinese) it says gov't will focus on efficacy of vaccine, not country of origin.

https://www.chinatimes.com/newspaper...7-260102?chdtv

AZ112

Pity, 7 quarantine's days are a lots anyway, IMHO. Especially for a vaccinated person.
I was hoping that a vaccine has enough (or, If necessary vaccine + an antibody test) for leaving the quarantine requirements... not a good news at all.

gengar

And please note this is hugely speculative, since, as stated, the government hasn't even decided how to determine vaccinated status. I would not expect the CECC to make any commitment until there is guidance from WHO - so the notion of a "mid-May" policy implementation seems farfetched.

I'd also be wary of [antibody] tests determining vaccination status - [antibody] tests are notoriously unreliable (esp. sensitivity) and if the [antibody] test is to take place after arrival in Taiwan, the CECC would have to make known what the consequence of "failing" the [antibody] test would be (e.g., would a person after a single [antibody] test "fail" then need to do the standard full 21-day regimen of quarantine plus self-monitoring).

AZ112

Actually, antigen test and antibody test are two different tests that are used for different porposes.
Antigen Test has a similar utility of a PCR test: it's used to see if a person has a covid infection (it's more rapid than a PCR but least efficient);
Antibody test is used to see if the person has the antibodies, so if he is protected from the infection of Covid-19.
As I've understood, the government wanna check the antibody at the airport once landed (and not the antigen)...that's why I'm asking why to introduce 7 days of mandatory even if vaccinated with an antibody test done.

gengar

I meant antibody, and have edited my post accordingly. My post was correct for the intended meaning of antibody; they are notoriously poor in sensitivity.

The policy currently being reported in Taiwanese media as being considered by CECC for the shortened 7-day quarantine is 2x PCR (negative test before boarding, once after quarantine) plus some antibody test (to determine vaccination status).

YariGuy

Whatever the case, things are at least moving in the right direction. I think this is the way the world will open up again, in fits and steps rather than in one fell swoop.

AZ112

Uhm... I don't think so. If you have some antibody, the antibody test (witu blood semple) are 100% accurate. The antibody test will show you the exact quantity of antibody that your body has reached.

strife

This is welcome news even if just as a step in the right direction.

There is a BMJ study on various serology sensitivity. I recall many including Roche were in 80% range.

gengar

It's just not that simple. There's a reason why, for example, the CDC does not recommend existing antibody tests for vaccination immunity assessment (see, e.g., [1], [2] under section "Laboratory testing", etc.).

This is why I think the supposed mid-May date is totally farfetched, because no one has established a metric for that assessment.

AZ112

If they're waiting for the equation "risk = 0" they could open on 2024, at least.
I think that countries have to do their best to balance the minimization to spread the covid-19 and the opportunity to reopen - with certain rules - to some people their borders (note: some people, not some countries).
But obviously, I've understood their reason.

YariGuy

You called it. And given the recent spike in local infections and the vaccine hesitancy in Taiwan, it's not going to open for a long time in my opinion.

Skyman65

Vaccine hesitancy in Taiwan has suddenly evaporated. Even my physician brother-in-law can't get an appt for a jab.

YariGuy

I guess the problem now has become lack of vaccines.

Skyman65

...and now everyone wants a jab. Before, there was no urgency, since there was no community spread. Now...suddenly things are different.

YariGuy

But in any case, this looks like a "two steps back" kind of development. With the US roaring back, I think a lot of the Taiwanese-American COVID refugees will be going back to the US for the start of the fall schoolyear. This will be a (probably slight) negative hit to Taiwan's GDP, and to the PR story.