• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home Sci-tech

Aspen COVID-19 vaccine lines risk going idle as J&J orders dwindle

10 August 2022, 10:22 PM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
Aspen which currently produces vaccines for Johnson & Johnson and, in may find themselves with idle vaccines as global demand for vaccines drop.

Aspen which currently produces vaccines for Johnson & Johnson and, in may find themselves with idle vaccines as global demand for vaccines drop.

Image: Aspen Pharma

Aspen which currently produces vaccines for Johnson & Johnson and, in may find themselves with idle vaccines as global demand for vaccines drop.

South Africa’s Aspen Pharmacare’s COVID-19 vaccine production lines may soon go idle, and without any new orders, it could be forced to pivot to manufacturing other products, according to a senior executive.

Aspen currently produces vaccines for Johnson & Johnson and, in March, it struck a deal to produce, price, and sell its own-brand version of the shot for African markets.

That deal was considered a game-changer for a continent frustrated by sluggish Western hand-outs. But, while only a 5th of adults in Africa are fully vaccinated, according to the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, demands for shots have failed to materialise.

Aspen has had no orders for its Aspenovax vaccine, and it is not possible to predict future J&J demand says Aspen Group Senior Executive, Stavros Nicolaou says it leaves the future of its 450-million-dose annual production capacity in doubt.

“The thing here is that we don’t know if we will get further orders from J&J. But we are producing what we currently have on order,” he says.

Secure orders

“Intense” talks are under way with J&J as well as with bilateral organisations to secure orders soon, Nicolaou added. Without them, he said Aspen may decide to pivot to manufacturing anaesthetics or other sterile products.

J&J told Reuters that its requirements for Aspen-produced vaccine doses were dependent upon global demand.

“This year, final quantities and delivery schedules for our vaccine are geared to the evolving needs of countries, depending on their vaccination needs and their capacity to absorb vaccines at different points in time,” the company said.

Nicolaou cautioned that more critical than J&J’s supply requirements was the need to jumpstart orders for Aspen’s own Aspenovax.

700 million dose boost

The bulk of the company’s COVID-19 production lines had been meant to produce Aspenovax for Africa. Its initial plans aimed to boost annual capacity to 700 million doses by February and a further expansion to one billion doses to meet expected demand.

However, its existing Aspenovax production lines are currently sitting idle.

“Of course we cannot continue with vacant lines indefinitely. And we would have to get orders soon or pivot.” says Nicolaou.

Share article
Tags: Aspen PharmacareCOVID-19 vaccineJohnson and Johnson vaccine
Previous Post

Trucks association threatens mass action if concerns not addressed

Next Post

Long awaited ANC North West provincial conference to take place this weekend

Related Posts

A tap with a droplet of water.

UN Water Conference kicks off as world marks World Water Day

22 March 2023, 9:30 PM
Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, the Old Coronation Hospital.

“Report exposes state of Gauteng public health facilities”

15 March 2023, 11:09 AM
Members of Nehawu on strike

Phaahla links four deaths to Nehawu’s wage strike

9 March 2023, 1:00 PM
Silhouettes of mobile users are seen next to a screen projection of Instagram logo in this picture illustration taken March 28, 2018.

Instagram down for thousands of users globally

9 March 2023, 7:33 AM
[File Image]: A nurse at one of South Africa's hospital during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

Patients suffer as health workers strike

9 March 2023, 7:30 AM
A representation of depression

Negative impact of rolling blackouts on mental health

7 March 2023, 5:56 PM
Next Post
ANC supporters hold a party flag.

Long awaited ANC North West provincial conference to take place this weekend

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • [Editorial Update] Unisa suspends registrar for various breaches of policy
  • Orlando Pirates player Thembinkosi Lorch found guilty of assault
  • Decision on Zimbabwean Exemption Permits causing confusion: TASA
  • Slain teen Palesa Malatji’s family calls for death sentence to be reinstated
  • Female student stabbed to death at NMU residence
  • Dr Nandipha’s looks during court appearances under the spotlight
  • Deadline for Zimbabwean Exemption Permits draws near
  • Reserve Bank expected to increase repo rate on Thursday
  • Zimbabwe receives 18 helicopters from Russian Federation
  • Eastern Cape ActionSA raises eyebrows over qualifications of senior officials
  • Decision on Zimbabwean Exemption Permits causing confusion: TASA
  • Mabuyane amends court application to interdict SIU from continuing investigation
  • South Africa needs to create new cities to address overpopulation: Kubayi
  • Chitando pushes for permanent residency for ZEP holders
  • Marlene van Staden was a dedicated servant of the people: Steenhuisen

LATEST

[File Image] National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Sehlahle Fannie Masemola during the release of quarterly crime statistics.
  • South Africa

Over 200 sentenced to life for GBV, says Masemola


A person holds up their passport showing their visa
  • Business

Calls for more action to ease visa regulations between SA, France


A customer arrives at the Post Office in Pimville, Soweto.
  • South Africa

Government says it will fight to ensure the survival of the Post Office


Zimbabwean flag
  • Africa

Professor Mutambara says African continent needs new leadership


Picture of a laboratory
  • South Africa

Treatment of cancer receives R600 mln boost with launch of Isotope facility


Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane
  • Politics

S194 Inquiry changes course, wants evidence in writing


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous Trucks association threatens mass action if concerns not addressed
Next Long awaited ANC North West provincial conference to take place this weekend