Taiwan's domestically developed enterovirus strain A71 vaccine successfully obtained drug approvals in Vietnam and Macau, entering the international market. The National Health Research Institutes (NHRI) made the announcement on Friday, July 17, at the 2026 Asia Biotech Expo. 

NHRI President Dr. Huey-Kang Sytwu (司徒惠康) pointed out that this vaccine has been in development since the first severe enterovirus outbreak in Taiwan in 1998. Between 2010 and 2013, the NHRI transferred vaccine-related technologies and Phase I clinical trial results to Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp and Adimmune Corporation, which obtained drug approvals in 2023 and began supplying the vaccine domestically, helping prevent enterovirus in Taiwanese children.

NHRI Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Deputy Director Dr. Shih-Jen Liu (劉士任) stated that, in addition to the notoriously dangerous A71, other strains such as Coxsackievirus A6, A16, A10, and the emerging E-11 and D68 strains also pose a threat. He said that the NHRI is actively promoting vaccines and developing preparation technologies and that he estimates new vaccines will be available for the prevention of the other enterovirus infections within six to seven years.

Medigen Vaccine Biologics General Manager Li Su-hsien (李思賢) stated that the success of the A71 vaccine was based on the excellent early-stage development by the NHRI. He emphasized that with continued collaboration and support from industry, government, and academia, he believes that Taiwan’s biotech will shine as brightly as its other industries.