Tzu Chi vaccine scam: Ko Wen-je's wife claims he was approached by 'channel' contacts

Chen Pei-chi, wife of former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, has disclosed that her husband engaged with individuals claiming to possess channels for obtaining COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic. This revelation comes amid ongoing attention surrounding the Tzu Chi Foundation's alleged scam in purchasing BNT vaccines.

Chen explained on Facebook that Ko, as Taipei mayor, was deeply invested in epidemic prevention and understood the public's urgent desire for vaccines. Consequently, he did explore avenues with people who purported to have access to vaccine supplies. However, Ko reportedly withdrew from these efforts upon learning that any vaccines he procured would first undergo inspection by the central government's Food and Drug Administration.

Chen further elaborated that Ko was concerned about potential political interference from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which he believed might obstruct individuals from opposing parties. The prospect of vaccines, even if approved, being subject to central government distribution, meaning Taipei-purchased vaccines might not be available to Taipei citizens, led Ko to abandon the procurement attempts.

Chen strongly criticized the DPP government's pace in acquiring vaccines compared to international standards and its promotion of the domestically developed Medigen vaccine, which lacked third-party trial certifications. She expressed anger that the DPP and former Health Minister Chen Shih-chung are now demanding an apology from Ko five years later, questioning the basis for such a demand and sarcastically asking if they should be thanked for their slow vaccine rollout.