The Presidential Office is refuting comments by K-M-T 2024 presidential
hopeful Terry Gou concerning the procurement of coronavirus vaccines.

Office spokeswoman Lin Yu-chan says the government made every effort to
purchase "legal and effective vaccines" during the pandemic to ensure the
health and safety of the people of Taiwan.

The statement comes after Gou claimed at a rally this past weekend that
President Tsai Ing-wen asked "representatives not to buy vaccines
manufactured by foreign companies."

The Presidential Office spokeswoman says the government began negotiating
vaccine procurement contracts in June of 2020 with several international
manufacturers including AstraZeneca, Moderna and Pfizer–BioNTech.

Lin says the Pfizer–BioNTech purchase was hit by delays because its regional
agent is a Chinese entity, which led to problems it blamed on "political
factors."

The spokeswoman is calling on Gou and other officials seeking to run for
office to cease making unfounded allegations for political gain.