Biden to double US order of J&J one-shot vaccine

US President Joe Biden will double the US order for Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot vaccine, boosting the countries total jab supply to enough for 500 million people, an official tells Bloomberg News.

President Joe Biden will double the U.S. order of Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot vaccine – seeking another 100 million doses – bringing the country’s supply to enough for 500 million people, an official familiar with the plans says. Biden will make the announcement Wednesday during an event with the chief executives of J&J and Merck & Co., who struck a collaboration to boost production of the J&J vaccine. The U.S. had previously ordered 100 million doses, which the company has said will be delivered before the end of June. The order is a sign that the U.S. is continuing to stockpile doses as questions swirl around which vaccine will be best for children. No shots are currently authorized for use in people under 16, with studies under way on efficacy in older children and others expected to follow on younger ones.