Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted an emergency use authorization for Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine:
“Today’s authorization of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine brings us another step closer to the light at the end of the tunnel. Notably, this new vaccine is easier to store and transport than other COVID-19 vaccines and only requires one shot to protect patients. This will greatly improve our ability to protect millions of people against COVID-19 in communities across the country and is a giant step toward crushing the virus.
“At our Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee hearing earlier this week, Johnson & Johnson’s Dr. Richard Nettles said the company would be able to deliver enough doses to vaccinate 100 million people in the first half of this year, and 20 million in just the next month.
“This breakthrough today underscores the importance of Congress getting the American Rescue Plan-which provides over $20 billion to support vaccine distribution-to President Biden’s desk as soon as possible.
“As the Chairman of Energy and Commerce and as the proud Representative of New Brunswick, New Jersey, I look forward to working with the Biden Administration, state and local governments, and stakeholders to quickly and equitably distribute this lifesaving vaccine."
