New coronavirus vaccine may help with supply shortage

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two coronavirus vaccines have been approved in the US, but, pending federal approval, a third vaccine developed by Johnson and Johnson could be available in early March.

The Biden administration is expecting millions of additional doses from Johnson and Johnson if it is authorized for emergency use by the FDA. The company said in a statement it intends to distribute doses immediately if the vaccine is authorized.

Although there is a potential for more doses, government officials originally thought there would be up to 30 million available by April. However, because of miscommunication over the production timeline, they are now expecting fewer than 20 million by April.

This could affect Biden's plan to get 100 million residents vaccinated in the first half of 2021.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said it could be until late May or early June before vaccines are widely available to the general population. He had originally hoped vaccines would be widely available by early April.

Lisa Cox with the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement to ABC 17, "We expect that it could be approved as early as late next week with shipments following shortly after. We'll provide updates on J and J as soon as we have solid guidance and timelines from our federal partners following a potential approval."

Sara Humm with the Columbia/Boone County Health Department said any additional vaccine supply will help them get Boone county vaccinated as soon as possible.

Kristi Campbell with the Cole County Health Department said an increase in vaccine supply will help vaccinators increase the number of doses they can give out. 

"Having a set amount that we know we will be receiving each week would also help so we can plan clinics and make appointments," Campbell said.

Vaccine supply continues to be an issue in Missouri. Gov. Mike Parson said earlier this week that winter weather has delayed vaccine shipments. Many vaccination clinics were also canceled because of dangerously cold temperatures.

D&H Drugstore in Columbia did also not receive its vaccine shipment this week, a pharmacy owner Tanya Alberty said. D&H had to temporarily stop in-house vaccination clinics it held for independent living communities in Columbia. Alberty said the pharmacy won't know until Sunday when the next shipment of vaccines will arrive.