WASHINGTON (AP) – Drugmaker Merck & Co. will help produce rival Johnson & Johnson’s newly approved coronavirus vaccine in an effort to expand supply more quickly, a Biden administration official confirmed Tuesday.
Officials said J&J faced unexpected production issues with its vaccine and produced only 3.9 million doses ahead of its receiving emergency use authorization on Saturday, according to the Associated Press.
The company is on pace to deliver 100 million doses by the end of June.
The assistance from Merck is expected to help J&J meet its production commitments.
President Joe Biden is scheduled to discuss the partnership in a speech Tuesday afternoon.
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