PR-2122
June 20, 2021
U.S. Government Vaccine Donation Arrives in Taiwan
AIT is pleased to facilitate and announce the arrival in Taiwan of 2.5 million doses of Moderna vaccine donated by the U.S. government. The United States understands Taiwan’s urgent need for vaccines amidst the recent surge in COVID-19 cases that is also affecting countries across the Indo-Pacific region. This donation reflects our commitment to Taiwan as a trusted friend and an important security partner. Taiwan’s response to the global pandemic shows the strength of democratic values and processes to combat global challenges and its generosity in donating medical assistance around the world underscores its role in the global community to solve global challenges.
The United States has not forgotten that American lives were saved due to Taiwan’s medical assistance. Today’s shipment includes an additional 1.75 million doses on top of the 750,000 doses announced during the June 6 visit to Taiwan of U.S. Senators Duckworth, Sullivan, and Coons. In recognition of the continued global vaccine shortage, President Biden on June 10 announced the U.S. would donate an additional 500 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for low and lower-middle income countries, in addition to the 80 million doses the U.S. already committed to sharing with our partners, including Taiwan. The U.S-Taiwan relationship has always been grounded in strong people-to-people ties, and today’s announcement supports our joint commitment to combat the global pandemic. As President Biden has said, “we will not use our vaccines to secure favors from other countries.” Instead, “we’ll share these vaccines in service of ending the pandemic everywhere.”