His approach only seemed to be reinforced this week after disappointing -- and to some officials, surprising -- news from Johnson & Johnson. A person familiar with the process, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe internal discussions, told CNN the more bullish public comments were a reflection of private, optimistic conversations between the administration and Johnson & Johnson. But expectations for a massive surge of doses were dashed when Johnson & Johnson tempered its projections. Johnson & Johnson has a contractual obligation to provide the federal government with 100 million doses by the end of June. "There is no precise answer," White House Covid-19 response senior adviser Andy Slavitt said during an event with The Washington Post on Thursday.

Source: The Nation February 19, 2021 15:03 UTC