Minister of Health and Welfare, Xue Ruiyuan, revealed in the Legislative Yuan yesterday that, except for Modena who did not agree to declassify, the other manufacturers have agreed on a confidentiality period ranging from five to ten years. Contracts and participation of international organizations, etc.

(Photo by reporter Wang Yisong)

Xue Ruiyuan: Facing Damages, Suspension of Supply Impacts Future Contracts and Participation of International Organizations

[Reporters Lin Huiqin, Qiu Zhirou, Hong Meixiu/Comprehensive Report] The confidentiality of the purchase price of the Wuhan pneumonia vaccine has been repeatedly questioned by opposition parties. Minister of Health and Welfare Xue Ruiyuan revealed in the Legislative Yuan yesterday that, except for Modena who did not agree to declassify, the other manufacturers agreed to keep the confidentiality period between five and ten In 2018, if the breach of contract is made public, it may have a negative impact on Taiwan, including compensation for damages, suspension of supply, impact on future contracts and participation of international organizations.

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Modena disagrees with declassification

4 labels each require confidentiality for 5 to 10 years

According to the report of the Audit Department, as of the end of September this year, the government had purchased 68.41 million doses of the Wuhan pneumonia vaccine and received 24.26 million doses of the vaccine, totaling 92.67 million doses.

The CDC reported that the related expenses were implemented about 49.8 billion yuan.

However, many legislators questioned the confidentiality agreement yesterday. Xue Ruiyuan explained that the content of the contract signed with the manufacturer includes five years of confidentiality for high-end and AZ vaccines, seven years for Novavax, and ten years for BNT, while Modena does not agree to decrypt it.

If there is a breach of contract to disclose the content, it may face damages, or even stop the supply, lose integrity and leave a "criminal record", which may also affect participation in international organizations.

The report of the audit department also pointed out that the CDC did not deduct liquidated damages according to the contract for the part of the high-end vaccine that was overdue for more than 30 days and failed to perform.

Zhuang Renxiang, deputy director of the CDC, explained that a two percent penalty was imposed in March this year, but it is inconvenient to explain the amount and amount to avoid breach of contract.

High-end obtained an emergency use authorization (EUA) in July last year, and should submit a vaccine protection benefit report within one year; Xue Ruiyuan said that the report has been received, but the Food and Drug Administration has reviewed and requested a supplement before the end of October.

Because the high-end original formulation has limited protection to mutants, we do not plan to continue purchasing.

In addition, 5,050,000 doses have been delivered at the high-end, 3,050,000 doses have been vaccinated in China, 150,000 doses have been donated to Somaliland, 150,000 doses have been consumed, and 1.2 million doses have been destroyed. 700,000 doses, one third of the destruction rate.

At present, a total of 4 million doses of each vaccine expired and destroyed.

Domestic Wuhan pneumonia vaccine destruction rate is 6.5% lower than the global

6. Destruction rate of domestic Wuhan pneumonia vaccine.

5%, lower than the global rate of 10%, but still a target for the opposition party to attack; DPP legislator Lin Chuyin revealed yesterday that the Malaysian government purchased 15 million doses of H1N1 vaccine in 2009, including 10 million from Guoguang 5 million doses of Novartis, up to 52%, more than 7.74 million doses, were destroyed.

In addition, Moderna's next-generation BA.1 bivalent vaccine has been expanded to be used as a supplementary dose for those over 18. It will start next Tuesday, and the reservations in the north are full.

Zhuang Renxiang said that there are 260,000 to 60,000 doses on hand, which will be distributed according to the needs of the county and city next Wednesday.

As for the EUA of the BA.5 bivalent vaccine that has passed BNT in Japan, Xue Ruiyuan explained that the country is still in the review stage; Zhuang Renxiang added that the delivery time cannot be arranged until the EUA is passed.

Suspension of outdated vaccine clinics, fine of 76,000

Bamboo City also reported yesterday that there were clinics suspected of administering expired vaccines and violating relevant medical regulations. The Bamboo City Health Bureau said yesterday that it had suspended the clinic’s right to administer COVID-19 vaccines and imposed an initial fine of 76,000 yuan.

After investigation, the clinic failed to destroy the residual dose within the prescribed time after opening the bottle of the vaccine on the afternoon of September 8. The next day, it failed to check the opening time and administered the bottle of vaccine to an adult.

The person is currently in good health with no sequelae.

Minister of Health and Welfare, Xue Ruiyuan, revealed in the Legislative Yuan yesterday that, except for Modena who did not agree to declassify, the other manufacturers agreed on a confidentiality period ranging from five to ten years.

(AFP file photo)