EU forgoes 100 million J&J vaccine, likely to donate other doses

The European Union decided not to take up an option to buy 100 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine and is considering donating another 100 million optional shots, if ordered, European officials said.

The discussions show a drop in confidence in the one-dose shot, which was initially touted as crucial for a successful vaccination drive in Europe, but has been largely relegated to a back-up choice after safety and supply problems.

The EU at the end of March let the term to order 100 million extra doses lapse, three European officials with direct knowledge of contracts with vaccine makers told Reuters, revealing a confidential clause of the contract with J&J which had not been previously disclosed.


Under the contract, the EU ordered 200 million doses of the vaccine, and had options to buy another 200 million in two separate tranches.

The deadline for the second option for the remaining 100 million doses expires at the end of June but no decision has yet been made about whether to exercise it, the officials said.

A spokesman for the European Commission declined to comment on the matter.

The company's supply problems might play a role in the decision.

As part of the initial order, J&J committed to delivering 55 million doses to the EU by the end of June, but has so far shipped only about 12 million, according to an EU Commission official with access to the latest delivery figures.

EU governments "have voiced their concerns at the current delays", the EU spokesman said.

Two US-made batches with millions of vaccines have been on hold for weeks as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) assesses their safety after cases of contaminations at a factory run by J&J subcontractor Emergent in the US.