Canada donates 10 million doses of Janssen vaccine

The Government of Canada will provide up to 10 million doses of Janssen vaccine to developing countries to help them fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

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This was announced by International Development Secretary Karina Gould and Public Services and Supply Minister Anita Anand Thursday during a press briefing.

These 10 million doses, which were reserved as part of a Canadian advance purchase agreement with Johnson & Johnson, will be provided through the international COVAX program.

At the G7 summit last June, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, pledged to share the equivalent of 100 million vaccines with developing countries, in the form of doses or physical. The doses announced Thursday are in addition to the 13 million donations announced in June, and directly from the stockpile of vaccines purchased by Ottawa, in addition to the 17.7 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine announced on July 12.

This announcement brings the total number of doses provided by Canada through the COVAX program to more than 40 million.

Distribution of the vaccines donated by Canada is expected to begin in the coming weeks, according to the manufacturers’ delivery schedules.