J&J unit Janssen Pharmaceutica NV has entered into a deal with the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) to deliver 220 million doses of its single-dose shot. AVAT could order an additional 180 million doses through 2022. However, a draft document for the AU vaccine plan, seen by Reuters in January, showed that the J&J shot would cost African countries $10 (Sh1,097) a dose. As part of the AU vaccine plan, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has approved up to $2 billion (Sh219.4 billion) in finance for countries to buy shots via the AU. Late last year, J&J said it and the GAVI vaccine alliance expected to enter into a deal that would provide up to 500 million doses of the company's vaccine to COVAX through 2022.

Source: Standard Digital March 30, 2021 06:45 UTC