Taiwan bumps BioNTech vaccine order to 15 mln with Buddhist donation
TAIPEI, July 21 (Reuters) - A major Taiwanese Buddhist group said on Wednesday it had signed a deal to buy 5 million doses of BioNTech SE's (22UAy.DE) COVID-19 vaccine via the German firm's Chinese sales agent, bumping the island's order for the shot up to 15 million doses.
The Tzu Chi Foundation said in June it was bidding to get the vaccines, and Taiwan's government said it would allow the group to negotiate on its behalf for the shot. The vaccines will be donated to the government for distribution.
In a statement on its Facebook page, Tzu Chi said it had signed the deal with a Hong Kong subsidiary of Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd (600196.SS), which has the right to sell the shot in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
"After successfully signing the vaccine procurement contract, all the purchased vaccines will be donated to the competent authority for use by the public," it added, without saying when the vaccines would arrive.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-buddhist-group-buy-5-mln-biontech-vaccines-2021-07-21/