J&J to Supply the African Union with 200 Million Doses of its COVID-19 Vaccine

Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, announced on March 29, 2021 that it has entered into an agreement with the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) for the supply of 220 million doses of its single-shot COVID-19 vaccine for the African Union’s (AU) 55 member states beginning in the third quarter of 2021.

Additionally, AVAT will have the option to order an additional 180 million doses, for a total of up to 400 million doses, through 2022 subject to approval or authorization by the national regulatory authorities of AU member states, according to a Johnson & Johnson company press release.

The company also launched an agreement in December 2020 with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance in support of the COVAX Facility, an organization working to support the vaccination needs of 190 economies.

“From the beginning of this pandemic, Johnson & Johnson has recognized that no one is safe until everyone is safe, and we have been committed to equitable, global access to new COVID-19 vaccines,” said Alex Gorsky, chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, in the press release. “Our support for the COVAX Facility, combined with supplementary agreements with countries and regions, will help accelerate global progress toward ending the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Source: Johnson & Johnson