FDA Orders About 60 Million Doses Of J&J Vaccine Be Tossed

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has ordered Johnson & Johnson to throw out around 60 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine after multiple health violations were unveiled at the Baltimore Emergent BioSolutions plant, per The New York Times.

The plant apparently administered shots, despite ruining millions of doses of the J&J vaccine after an ingredient mix-up. The Times reported that people familiar with the situation said the FDA ordered that the doses be thrown away because of the possibility of contamination.

Johnson & Johnson's vaccine was paused two months ago after a small number of recipients began experiencing blood clots.

J&J reportedly signed a contract with the U.S. government that valued each dose at about $10, adding up to nearly $600 million worth of vaccines being cast aside. That said, it's not believed federal officials will reimburse Emergent for the mishap.

"Among the violations include workers who failed to shower or change clothes, mold in the facility and poor disinfection or equipment," the Daily Mail reported. "It is unclear if the plant, which closed two months ago after ruining millions of J&J doses in an ingredient mix-up, will be allowed to reopen."

The loss of this vaccine makes it highly unlikely that the U.S. will be able to reach President Joe Biden's mission of 70% of adults being at least partially vaccinated by July 4.