India set to get first J&J Covid vaccine doses in October, says source
It could receive as many as 43.5 million doses of the single-shot vaccine in October
India expects to get its first Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine doses from next month, filled and finished in India by a partner of the US drugmaker, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Monday.
It could receive as many as 43.5 million doses of the single-shot vaccine in October, said the source - a big step towards helping India meet its target of producing more than 300 million doses https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-resume-Covid-vaccine-exports-n... in the month.
India is the world's biggest centre of vaccine manufacturing. Once it has met its own needs, it plans to resume exports, which it stopped in April.
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India's drug regulator last month gave emergency authorisation to the J&J vaccine, whether imported or locally filled and finished by J&J's Indian partner, Biological E.
However, the Indian government has not yet signed any supply deal with J&J.
"J&J doses are expected from next month," said the source, who declined to be named as he was not authorised to talk to the media. "Bio E will do the formulation and make 5 ml vials."
India's health ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A J&J India spokesperson said it was "premature for us to speculate on the timing of our vaccine deliveries".
