Johnson & Johnson Reportedly Pauses Covid Vaccine Production Despite Sharp Need In Developing Countries
Topline
Johnson & Johnson briefly halted manufacturing of its Covid-19 vaccine late final 12 months, the New York Occasions reported Tuesday, citing unnamed sources, although growing nations have already been left ready for tens of thousands and thousands of vaccines ordered from the pharmaceutical big.
Johnson & Johnson’s plant in Leiden, the Netherlands.
Robin Utrecht/SOPA Photographs/LightRocket through Getty Photographs
Key Info
Johnson & Johnson’s plant in Leiden, the Netherlands, is predicted to renew producing Covid vaccines after a pause of some months, throughout which it has shifted to producing a probably extra worthwhile vaccine for a special virus, the New York Occasions reported, citing unnamed sources.
It stays unclear whether or not vaccine stockpiles will likely be ample to insulate international healthcare methods from the manufacturing pause.
Key Background
Johnson & Johnson is likely one of the largest Covid vaccine suppliers to the African Union and to COVAX, a program geared toward bettering international entry to vaccines. For some low- and middle-income nations, Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine is the one choice, said Johnson & Johnson government Dr. Penny Heaton. The corporate suffered delays in sending tens of thousands and thousands of doses to South Africa in mid-2021, contributing to devastating outbreaks because the delta variant surged. Africa has among the lowest vaccination charges on this planet, with Eritrea, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad all reporting lower than 1% vaccination. Africa’s lagging vaccination charges are precipitated each by low provide and by the inadequacy of native medical infrastructure, World Well being Group vaccines director Kate O’Brien told NPR.
Huge Quantity
17 million. That’s what number of doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine the Biden Administration donated to the African Union in October.
Essential Quote
“This isn’t the time to be switching manufacturing traces of something, when the lives of individuals throughout the growing world cling within the steadiness,” African Union vaccine-delivery program co-head Dr. Ayoade Alakija told the New York Occasions.
Additional Studying
“J.&J. Pauses Production of Its Covid Vaccine Despite Persistent Need” (New York Occasions)
