Health Minister Chen Shih-chung has gone on record saying that Taiwan has not purchased doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. That’s following media reports that Taiwan had reached a deal with the US for over 100,000 doses to arrive this coming Thursday.
During Monday’s press conference, Chen condemned the reports in strong terms. He says that false information of this kind will weaken Taiwan’s position in vaccine purchase negotiations.
Chen says that the US and Taiwan have not yet reached an agreement on vaccines, and talks are still ongoing. He says the Central Epidemic Command Center will announce vaccine purchases and deliveries when it receives confirmation.
Authorities have already begun to prepare cold storage and transport facilities in anticipation of future vaccine deliveries. While all the vaccines currently available must be kept cold, the storage temperature for Pfizer’s vaccine is particularly low. It needs to be frozen at -70°C, meaning it requires specially designed cold storage facilities.
Minister Chen says that when Taiwan receives deliveries of COVID-19 vaccines, it will first identify high-risk areas. Chen says Taoyuan City is an example of an area that authorities currently consider high risk. Taiwan will then give priority for vaccines to frontline medical workers, epidemic prevention staff and other public service workers.