Washington – The American pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson said on Monday that it will be able to supply the United States with 20 million doses of the Coronavirus vaccine by the end of March, assuming it receives clearance from federal regulators.
J&J revealed the number in written testimony ahead of the congressional hearing scheduled for Tuesday, which will review vaccine supplies in the country. Last week, White House officials warned that the first supplies of the J&J vaccine, which only needs one dose, will be limited.
The company reiterated that it will have the capacity to deliver 100 million doses to the United States by the end of June. The supplies will help the US government achieve its goal of getting enough vaccines to vaccinate the majority of American adults this year. Internationally, the company aims to produce 1 billion doses during 2021.
Health regulators in the United States continue to review the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, and this week they are expected to decide whether to allow its use in emergencies. The J&J vaccine will be the first in the United States to require only one dose.
The vaccines currently available and developed by Pfizer and Moderna require two doses that must be taken at intervals of several weeks.
Executives from the two companies and two vaccine manufacturers will also testify at the hearing on Tuesday.
