US looks forward to joint production of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in India

According to sources, India is currently testing the production of the COVID-19 vaccine Johnson & Johnson which is sufficient for a single dose.

The use of the Johnson & Johnson Corona vaccine has recently been approved in the United States. Moreover, efforts to produce the vaccine in India have been initiated by the US, as informed by the US Secretary of State Daniel Smith. However, whether it will be possible to jointly produce this vaccine through the manufacturers in India is still unknown even though an investigation has been initiated with regards to the same.

As per reports, in addition to working with SII and other Indian vaccine manufacturers on ways to boost production, since the US is looking into the joint production of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for the coronavirus in India, it is also encouraging private sector discussions to ramp up manufacturing.

On the other hand, in recent developments, SII CEO Adar Poonawalla has stated that raw materials are needed from the US which is required for making Covovax, the vaccine developed by Novavax.

Amidst the pandemic, when India and other countries are hoping the US will begin shipping doses from its stockpile of some 10 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, Smith iterated that it would not be possible till the FDA certifies the safety and efficacy of the vaccines made at a plant outside Baltimore.

Meanwhile, the Government of India has given a list of raw materials. The United States is working to expedite the supply of these goods and other equipment. However, the global raw material supply chain has been disrupted due to which it is not easy to supply raw materials to India at the moment.