Coronavirus

Janssen reportedly suspends shipment of 3 million vaccines to Brazil

Janssen suspends shipment vaccines
Photo: Stanislav Sukhin/Shutterstock

Janssen, the pharmaceutical branch of Johnson & Johnson, suspended the shipment of 3 million doses of its single-shot Covid-19 vaccine to Brazil, expected to arrive on June 15. 

Per radio station BandNews, the Health Ministry confirmed the suspension without explaining the reasons behind it. Authorities are working to make sure the doses arrive on June 16. The suspended batch would be the first shipment of 38 million Janssen vaccines purchased by the Brazilian government earlier this year.

The delay may have major impacts on Brazil’s nationwide vaccination campaign, as the shots are set to expire on June 27. There is a possibility, however, that regulator Anvisa could extend their expiration dates to August 8, based on protocols established in the U.S.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry announced it has received 1 million Sinovac vaccines produced by São Paulo’s Butantan Biological Institute.