ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) – While states are desperately waiting for more doses of limited coronavirus vaccines created by Pfizer and Moderna, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan hopes another company will start producing their own version of COVID-19 soon.
State officials said one of the companies approaching production is Johnson & Johnson, which has a contract with Emergent BioSolutions of Maryland for a covid-19 vaccine.
University of Maryland School of Medicine Dr. David Marcozzi called the Johnson & Johnson vaccine a “game changer” because it is a single dose. Current Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses.
“There is good news, because there are several COVID-19 vaccines that are about to be authorized for use,” Marcozzi said. “Data on the effectiveness of the COVID vaccine from Johnson and Johnson are expected to be available in a few weeks and shortly thereafter. [it] will be submitted to the FDA for review. The J&J vaccine is a single dose administered with lower cold storage requirements. So authorizing this vaccine could change the game. ”
The cell cultures are cultured in sterile bags, then infected with the virus – it will be purified and will eventually form the vaccine that will be introduced into the dosing bottles. @wjz pic.twitter.com/g2dnZcnghA
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Officials say that once the FDA approves this vaccine, it will improve vaccine availability and support vaccination efforts not only in Maryland but across the country.
Emerging BioSolutions, based in Gaithersburg and Baltimore, would produce the vaccine here in Maryland. The company has contracts with Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca.
Hogan said as soon as they are granted FDA approval, they will be able to “take them out.”
The governor said he will talk to the CEO soon and find out more.
For the latest information on coronavirus, visit Maryland Department of Health website or call 211. You can find all WJZ coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.