Biden announces contracts for 200 million vaccines 0:49
(CNN) - The
United States can expect to see a total of 240 million doses of the covid-19 vaccine by the end of March, drug companies told a House subcommittee on Tuesday.
Pfizer and Moderna, the two companies with Covid-19 vaccines licensed for emergency use in the United States, have committed to having a combined 220 million doses available for shipment by the end of March.
Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson, which could obtain emergency use authorization for its vaccine from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) later this week, has pledged to make 20 million doses available in the same period of time.
"If the emergency use authorization is received this week, we hope to help end this pandemic as soon as possible," Dr. Richard Nettles, Johnson & Johnson Vice President of Medical Affairs, told lawmakers.
Nettles said the company is prepared to immediately ship about 4 million doses following authorization of the vaccine.
Executives from each of the vaccine manufacturers, along with executives from AstraZeneca and Novavax, testified before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce on Tuesday.
advertising
New revelations emerge about the 'VIP vaccination' in Argentina, while the minister announces measures
This application would allow the resumption of air flights 0:41
More vaccines are expected in the US.
A fourth COVID-19 vaccine could be available in the United States in April, when AstraZeneca is expected to receive FDA clearance for its vaccine.
Dr. Ruud Dobber, executive vice president and president of AstraZeneca's Biopharmaceutical Business Unit, said the company will immediately release 30 million doses upon authorization of the vaccine and up to 50 million doses, by the end of April.
Pfizer expected to deliver 30 to 40 million doses to the United States by the end of 2020, but only hit the 40 million mark last week.
Moderna had been projected to deliver 20 million doses to the United States by the end of 2020, but it fell short in a week.
When asked on Tuesday why they didn't deliver on time, company executives said access to raw materials and making a product that had never been made before contributed to the problem.
"At first, we had some problems with the initial increase in our vaccine," said John Young, Pfizer's chief commercial officer.
"In particular, we saw some steps that cap commodity rates," Young added.
"Ultimately, when we were trying to make those estimates, we never manufactured on this scale, so we had a lot to learn along the way," said Moderna President Dr. Stephen Hoge.
“Looking back, could we have started that process earlier and align all critical raw materials earlier?
Could we have got there a little faster instead of the first week of January, the last week of December?
It's possible.
Certainly in hindsight, and that's 20-20 for us. "
The five drug companies have contracts with the US government to ultimately provide 1.1 billion doses of vaccine, enough to fully vaccinate nearly 600 million people, nearly twice the population of the United States.
Company officials assured lawmakers that they are on track to meet those commitments.
Google Maps will soon show US covid-19 vaccination sites.
The vaccination map against covid-19 in South America 0:50
More doses of vaccines and control of variants
All five companies said they did not anticipate any shortages of raw materials.
"At this point, we think we have the supplies and consumables that we need," said Hoge.
Moderna is seeking FDA approval to increase the number of doses, from 10 to 15, in each of its vials of COVID-19 vaccine.
When asked about the impact of the increase, Hoge said it would "accelerate delivery substantially" and decrease demand for some critical and high-demand raw materials.
"Obviously any gain, for example filling more doses into a vial, we will take," said Hoge.
"We need to get more doses into people's arms faster."
Beyond production and distribution, executives addressed questions about protection as new variants of the coronavirus spread.
"Adding a new strain to our vaccine is something we have experience with and we are able to do it very quickly," said John Trizzino, Novavax Business and Commercial Director.
Pfizer is studying a possible third dose booster antigen.
"We think there is some emerging evidence that having higher antibody titers may be protective even against new variant strains," Young said.
"We are also in discussions with the FDA to potentially develop an improved vaccine against a new variant of concern, should it arise."
- Jacqueline Howard contributed to this report.