A dose of the Johnson & Johnson single-shot coronavirus vaccine. (Photo: AP)
March 1, 2021
Johnson & Johnson rival will help make its vaccine
Pharmaceutical company Merck will help its rival Johnson & Johnson to make its vaccine. The announcement will be made by US President Joe Biden today.
The announcement follows the approval of the J&J single-shot vaccine as the US tries to ramp up production of its third approved vaccine.
Related story: Johnson & Johnson’s 1-dose vaccine cleared in US
Merck will dedicate two facilities in the US to J&J’s vaccine, with one facility making the actual vaccine and the other providing “fill-finish” services, the last stage of the production process during which the vaccine is placed in vials.
J&J’s entire inventory of 3.9 million doses will be shipped to the US this week with another sixteen million doses expected by month’s end.
