J&J signs advance purchase agreement with the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust

Johnson & Johnson has entered into a deal with the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) to make available up to 220 million doses of its single-shot Covid-19 vaccine candidate to the African Union’s 55 member states, with delivery beginning in Q3 of 2021. AVAT also has the potential to order an additional 180 million doses, for a combined total of up to 400 million doses through 2022.

“From the beginning of this pandemic, Johnson & Johnson has recognized that no one is safe until everyone is safe, and we have been committed to equitable, global access to new COVID-19 vaccines,” said Alex Gorsky, J&J’s chairman and CEO. “Our support for the COVAX Facility, combined with supplementary agreements with countries and regions, will help accelerate global progress toward ending the Covid-19 pandemic.”

J&J, like many, recognizes the severe impact of Covid-19 in Africa, as well as the emergence and continued spread of a SARS-CoV-2 variant in the Republic of South Africa that demonstrates increased transmissibility.