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Coronavirus: Taiwan appeals to US for vaccines amid fears for elderly
- Island reports 312 more local cases as total rises to 1,889 for the past 11 days
- US health chief supports WHA observer status for Taiwan, a move Beijing rejects
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Taiwanese Health Minister Chen Shih-chung has appealed to the United States for swift access to coronavirus vaccines as the island battles a spike in infections that has spread to at least 10 cities and counties.
In a video meeting on Friday morning, Chen told US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra that the island needed vaccines urgently.
“During the meeting, [I] asked for the US to strengthen health cooperation between the two sides as both sides had signed a memorandum of understanding last year for cooperation in this area,” he said in Taipei, as the island reported 312 new local cases.
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“[I] also said that due to the widening outbreak, we urgently need a vaccine and hope the US can support us by supplying us.”
According to Chen, Becerra said the US would support giving allies access to the vaccine and he would report to US President Joe Biden on Taiwan’s needs.
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Chen said Becerra also expressed US support for meaningful participation for Taiwan in the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organisation.
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