U.S. Gives $200M to Boost Vaccines in Africa

Only 1.5% of Africa’s population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but according to a recent FiercePharma article, that number is about to go up drastically. The U.S. is investing $200 million in an Aspen Pharmacare manufacturing facility in South Africa to boost the production of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The funds will allow the plant to increase capacity far beyond its current rate of 300 million doses per year. J&J has gone on record as saying it is providing its vaccine on a “not-for-profit basis” during the global pandemic, and pledged 500 million doses to the COVAX worldwide relief initiative last December.