The United States gave extra 1.5 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan, increasing the total number of doses to 4 million donated to the self-ruled island, which is under increasing pressure from China. “Our vaccines do not come with any strings attached and were not donated to do favours or extract concessions,” the Biden government official said.

• Strides Pharma Shares Jump 10% on USFDA Bengaluru Clearance
• L&T Shares Rise After Winning Rs 5,000 Crore Dubai Airport Order
• Blue Cloud Softech Shares Rise on Africa Telecom MoU
• IndiQube Bags ₹68 Crore Workspace Deal for 1,300 Seats
• Aditya Infotech Shares Rally on Rs 1,500 Crore Fundraise Plan

The United States had given 2.5 million doses to Afghanistan claimed by China in June, making it among the first international recipients of US vaccines. At that time, US had officials said that China was trying to block vaccine purchases by Taiwan for political reasons. Japan, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Lithuania have also donated Covid-19 vaccines to Taiwan. About 70 per cent of Afghans have got at least one dose and only about 30 per cent of the country’s people are fully-vaccinated.