Exclusive-U.S. triples vaccines for Taiwan with 2.5 million-dose shipment

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States will ship 2.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan on Saturday, a senior administration official told Reuters, more than tripling Washington’s previous allocation of shots for the island, which has faced increasing political and military pressure from China.

Washington, competing with Beijing to deepen geopolitical clout through so-called “vaccine diplomacy”, initially had promised to donate 750,000 doses to Taiwan, but is increasing that number as President Joe Biden’s administration advances its pledge to send 80 million U.S.-made shots around the world.

China, which considers Taiwan an integral part of its territory, has repeatedly offered to send coronavirus vaccines to the island, which has been battling a spike in domestic infections. Taipei has expressed concern about the safety of Chinese shots.

The 2.5 million donated doses of the Moderna Inc vaccine will leave Memphis, Tennessee, on a flight belonging to Taiwan’s China Airlines early on Saturday and arrive in Taipei on Sunday evening, the senior U.S. administration official said, adding that the prompt delivery was due to experts from both sides being able to work out regulatory issues.

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