Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
Image : Freedom Times
Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Taiwanese government have confirmed that Taiwan, which is not a member of the WHO, has joined the Global Access Mechanism for SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines (COVAX).
Taiwan’s Minister of Health and Welfare, Chen Shizhong, said in an inquiry at the Legislative on 25 September that he had signed a contract with COVAX on 18 September and expected to pay a deposit early next month. He stated that he would not purchase mainland vaccines through COVAX. Zhuang Renxiang, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Central Epidemic Command Center, pointed out at the press conference that the goal is to vaccinate 60% of Taiwan's population, about 13.58 million people.
WHO senior adviser Bruce Aylward said at a press conference on Friday that a total of 159 countries or economies have joined COVAX, including Taiwan. Aylward led an international team of experts to the mainland to understand the new crown virus epidemic. He avoided talking about Taiwan when he was interviewed by Radio Hong Kong earlier.
COVAX is led by the Global Immunization Alliance (Gavi), the World Health Organization, and the Epidemic Prevention Innovation Alliance (CEPI), hoping to ensure rapid and fair access to the new crown vaccine worldwide. The United States, Russia and China have not yet joined COVAX. The WHO said it is negotiating with Beijing on vaccine supply, and the mainland may supply vaccine for COVAX.
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