African Union Secures 400 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses from Johnson & Johnson

The Belgian pharmaceutical company Janssen Pharmaceutica will provide 400 million doses of its vaccine to the 55 member countries of the African Union (AU). The order is placed with a view to the consequent fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. A statement from the American parent company of Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, indicates that an agreement has been signed with the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT).

The same source specifies that Janssen Pharmaceutica will provide an initial quantity of 220 million doses of the vaccine to the AU member states. The first doses are expected to be received in the third quarter of this year. AVAT has planned the delivery of the additional 180 million doses during the year 2022.

"Johnson & Johnson believes that no one is safe until everyone is safe. We are committed to equitable global access to new Covid-19 vaccines," reports Alex Gorsky, CEO of Johnson & Johnson. However, it is up to the health authorities of each AU member state to approve the availability of the vaccine on its territory.

In many African countries, the impact of Covid-19 is increasing due to the mutation of the virus, including the South African variant that has flared up. However, the availability of vaccines in Africa does not yet cover the needs as is the case in European countries.