Taiwan to Receive 2.5 Million Doses of Moderna Vaccine from US... Triple the Initially Provided Amount

US State Department Spokesperson "Proud to Support Biden"
US Official, "Support Solely to Save Lives"

[Asia Economy International Department Reporter] The United States has provided 2.5 million doses of vaccines to support Taiwan, which is struggling due to the spread of COVID-19. This amount is three times more than the vaccines the U.S. initially planned to provide.

Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, posted on Twitter on the 19th (local time), saying, "2.5 million doses of vaccines are on their way to Taiwan," and added, "Medical cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan helps save lives both globally and locally." He continued, "The State Department is proud to support President Joe Biden's commitment to help the world combat COVID-19."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier this month, the U.S. had promised to provide 750,000 doses of vaccines through a delegation of senators visiting Taiwan. However, after President Biden announced plans to provide 80 million doses worldwide, the amount allocated to Taiwan also increased.

A senior U.S. government official stated, "Moderna vaccines departed Memphis, Tennessee, this morning on a China Airlines flight to Taiwan and will arrive locally on the afternoon of the 20th." The official emphasized, "We are not providing this support based on political or economic conditions; it is solely to save lives."

Previously, China pressured Taiwan to accept Chinese-made vaccines, but Taiwan refused citing safety concerns, escalating tensions between the two sides. Amid this, the U.S. Senate delegation visited Taiwan earlier this month on a military strategic transport plane and promised U.S. vaccine support. China condemned the visit by the U.S. lawmakers as a challenge to the 'One China' principle, calling it a "vicious political provocation."

Recently, the United States has issued joint statements targeting China at a series of multilateral summits and bilateral meetings, including references to Taiwan, which has drawn China's backlash.