ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) – While states are desperately waiting for more doses of the limited coronavirus vaccines created by Pfizer and Modern, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan expects another company to start producing its version of the COVID-19 vaccine soon.
State officials said one of the companies closest to production is Johnson & Johnson, which has a contract with Maryland-based Emergent BioSolutions for a covid-19 vaccine.
Dr. David Marcozzi, of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, called the Johnson & Johnson vaccine a “game changer” because it is a single-dose shot. Current Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses.
“There is good news, as more vaccines against COVID-19 are getting closer to being authorized for use,” Marcozzi said. “Efficacy data for Johnson and Johnson’s COVID vaccine are expected to be available in a few weeks and soon [it] will be submitted to the FDA for consideration. The J&J vaccine is a single dose with fewer cold change storage requirements. Therefore, the authorization of this vaccine could change the game.
Cell cultures are grown in sterile bags and then infected with the virus; it will be purified and end up forming the vaccine that will be put in the dose bottles. @wjz pic.twitter.com/g2dnZcnghA
– Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) January 26, 2021
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Officials say that once the FDA approves this vaccine, it will improve vaccine availability and help vaccination efforts not just in Maryland, but across the country.
Emerging BioSolutions, based in Gaithersburg and Baltimore, would manufacture the vaccine here in Maryland. The company has contracts with Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca.
Hogan said as soon as they receive FDA approval, they will be able to “remove” them.
The governor said he will talk to the CEO soon and find out more.
For the latest information on coronavirus, go to Maryland Department of Health website or call 211. You can find all WJZ coverage at coronavirus to Maryland here.