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Emergent Factory Halt Adds to Obstacles for J&J’s Covid Vaccine

  • Health officials also scrutinizing shot’s link to blood clots
  • FDA halts output of key vaccine ingredient at Baltimore plant
Emergent BioSolutions in Baltimore, Maryland.

Emergent BioSolutions in Baltimore, Maryland.

Photographer: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
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Emergent BioSolutions Inc. was told by U.S. regulators to stop making Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine at a facility where 15 million doses worth of a key ingredient had to be discarded, adding to roadblocks preventing wider use the single-dose shot.

Use of J&J’s vaccine has been paused since last week as health officials probe a possible link to life-threatening blood clots. The halt at Emergent, a contract manufacturer, could add to questions about how many Americans will ultimately receive J&J’s shot even if it is found to be safe.