Johnson & Johnson Begins Vaccine Shipments to EU

Deliveries of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine start today to member states, the European Commission has said, in a boost to the continent’s vaccination efforts.

The company had initially planned to start its deliveries at the beginning of April but delayed the roll-out due to production issues.

“Johnson & Johnson begins vaccine shipments to the EU today. Very good news,” said Mr. Peter Liese, an EU lawmaker from the same party as German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The U.S. company has committed to delivering to the EU by the end of June 55 million doses and another 120 million in the third quarter, EU industry commissioner Thierry Breton said this month.

The Czech Republic should receive the first 14,400 doses on April 19. Another 24,000 a week later.

“This restriction is set due to the number of current deliveries to the Czech Republic,” Distributor spokesman Martin Nesrsta explained to Radiožurnál.

“We prepared for the increased pressure, both in setting parameters for the operation of the website and for the operation of the customer line. Although the risk always exists, we will do our best to ensure that the ordering process is ongoing, “he added.

The single-dose vaccine was shown to have a 72% efficacy rate in the United States in preventing symptomatic illness and an 85% efficacy rate in preventing the most severe disease 28 days after vaccination.