Foxconn and TSMC buy millions of vaccine doses for Taiwan

Foxconn and TSMC solve a political drama even as they serve their own technology-making interests. the the Wall Street newspaper reports that the two companies have agreed to purchase 10 million doses of Pfizer / BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on behalf of the government of Taiwan. The two men buy the vaccines from Fosun Pharmaceutical after China allegedly “spiked” Taiwan’s offer to buy the vaccine directly.

There was pressure to make a deal. Taiwan has largely kept COVID-19 levels low throughout the pandemic, but new cases began to rise in late April and resulted in rare restrictions on the island. As infections decline, Taiwan has only vaccinated about 14% of its population. He will need many more doses if he is to lift the restrictions while limiting the cases.

Tech companies like have already offered to buy vaccines for employees and contractors. Apple, for example, helped TSMC buy vaccines for its staff. Such a large purchase for the general population breaks new ground, however – companies buy enough doses to inject more than 40% of Taiwan’s 24 million people.

Foxconn and TSMC are strongly encouraged to intervene. Outbreaks could affect their operations, even for these factories and other facilities beyond Taiwan. It could be especially dangerous amid a global flea shortage and other manufacturing headaches – infections and mass shutdowns could cause further growls. A vaccine purchase like this could save businesses money in the long run.