Taiwan’s main opposition party – the Kuomintang (KMT) – is ramping up its demand for vaccines. Party Chairperson Johnny Chiang held a press conference on Monday along with nearly two dozen city and county councillors from the party.
Taiwan is dealing with the worst outbreak of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. But a lack of vaccine doses means that only about 1% of its population of nearly 24 million has been vaccinated. The government says it’s hoping to have ten million doses ready for distribution by the end of August.
The KMT is calling on the international community to help Taiwan obtain internationally certified vaccines. High-ranking party members have also called on the government to accept Chinese vaccines.
Health Minister Chen Shih-chung has welcomed assistance in obtaining vaccines, but he says the government must oversee all contracts.
As for importing Chinese vaccines, Chen says that’s not possible. The health minister says that China has not provided adequate proof that its vaccines are safe. There is also a law in Taiwan that prohibits the import of Chinese vaccines.
The KMT is urging its supporters to put pressure on the government. Efforts include wearing yellow ribbons, and uploading headshots to social media with slogans calling for vaccines.