Sen. Van Hollen made that announcement Friday to the Frederick County Legislative Delegation.
Annapolis, Md (KM) Some additional COVID-19 vaccines could be coming to the states. During a Frederick County Legislative Delegation meeting on Friday, Senator Chris Van Hollen told lawmakers that the Biden Administration is increasing the weekly supply to the states by`16%. He also said the Administration has entered into contracts to purchase an additional 200-million doses of the vaccine for the country.
“The fact that we’re getting 200-million doses does not meet they’re all coming on line right now,” he said. “In fact, one of the challenges is that the production facilities for Moderna and Pfizer are operating pretty much at capacity now.”
Maryland and other states have been complaining that the federal government is not shipping out enough vaccine, and the need is great.
Van Hollen said that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Maryland is 45th out of the 50 states when it comes to the amount of vaccine it has received and distributed.
. “In the near term, in addition to the 16% bump that was announced in the federal level supply, the other big factor here is when the Johnson and Johnson vaccine may come on line,” Van Hollen said. “If it’s approved by the FDA, that would be another 100-million doses. That, of course, would help on the federal supply side.”
Johnson and Johnson says its vaccine works against COVID-19 with one shot. The others require two doses. The results released on Friday show it’s 66% effective against moderate and severe illness, and more protective against the most serious symptoms, according to an Associated Press report.
The company says it will be seeking Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration
By Kevin McManus