Merck to Help Produce Rival Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

WASHINGTON (AP) — Drugmaker Merck & Co. will help produce rival Johnson & Johnson’s newly approved coronavirus vaccine in an effort to expand supply more quickly.

That's according to a Biden administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of a speech planned by President Joe Biden on Tuesday afternoon.

Officials have 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.

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The company is on pace to deliver 100 million doses by the end of June.

The assistance from Merck was expected to help J&J meet its production commitments and expand supply even further.

Merck is based in Kenilworth (Hunterdon County, NJ) and Johnson and Johnson is based in New Brunswick.