COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen: authorities in EU take steps to safeguard vaccine quality
Authorities in the EU are aware that a batch of the active substance for COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen had been contaminated with materials for another vaccine manufactured at the same site.

The contamination occurred at a manufacturing site for the active substance in Maryland, United States, owned by Emergent Biosolutions. The batch concerned was not for the EU market.

Based on available information, batches of the vaccine released in the EU are not affected by the cross contamination. However, as a precaution and to safeguard the quality of vaccines, the supervisory authorities  have recommended not releasing vaccine batches containing the active substance made at around the same time that the contamination occurred.

Authorities in the EU are doing everything possible to safeguard supplies and mitigate the effects of any delay in the delivery of this vaccine.

EMA and national authorities are also aware of an inspection of the Emergent manufacturing site by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Authorities will continue to work with FDA and other international partners to ensure that vaccines in the EU meet the highest standards of quality.

The manufacturing issues at Emergent Biosolutions are not related to EMA’s recent review of very rare cases of blood clots and low blood platelets.