Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines to be released, but many will be tossed

(KYMA, KECY) - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Friday more than 10 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine would be released. Other batches will be tossed.

Officials don't say why other than several other batches are not suitable for use, and the next batches it's under review. However, a person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press batches will be thrown out due to possible contamination.

As for the FDA, it continues to work through issues with J&J management. Back in April, the factory was shut down due to the contamination of vaccines. Video footage showed employees carelessly handling vaccine materials.

The production problems have forced J&J to import millions of doses from its factory in the Netherlands to the U.S. and to miss supply commitments.

The Biden administration is working to find an American manufacturing partner for the British drugmaker, which has yet to request authorization to distribute it in the U.S.