NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (WCBS 880) — Jersey pharmaceutical giants Merck & Co. and Johnson & Johnson are joining forces to speed up vaccine supply.
The Biden administration announced Tuesday that Merck will help produce Johnson & Johnson's newly-approved, single-dose vaccine.
The news was first reported by the Washington Post.
A senior administration official confirmed to CBS News that the Washington Post report is accurate.
The official said Merck will dedicate two factories to filling and producing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
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The rare joint effort by the rival companies could dramatically increase the supply of the vaccine, though CBS News reports it could take a couple months to get the Merck production process going.
Nearly 4 million initial doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are expected to be delivered across the country this week.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the third to be approved by federal health regulators. Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the Johnson & Johnson version only requires one shot.
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