Certain European Countries Order 40M Additional J&J COVID-19 Jabs: Reuters - Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), BioNTech (NASDAQ:BNTX)

The European Union countries reportedly ordered nearly 40 million additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Johnson & Johnson JNJ, a spokesman for the EU Commission said.
EU nations initially ordered 200 million doses of the J&J vaccine and could buy up to another 200 million optional shots under the contract.
Some EU nations have decided to take on the first option and have ordered 36.7 million additional doses, reports Reuters citing for the EU Commission's spokesman.
Johnson & Johnson confirmed the extra order for nearly 40 million doses and said talks were underway about the possible supply of further vaccines.
It declined to comment on the timing of the deliveries.
The bloc mainly relies on BioNTech SE BNTX - Pfizer Inc PFE shot to vaccinate its population. It also wants to donate at least 100 million doses to poorer nations by the end of 2021.
Johnson & Johnson was expected to deliver 55 million doses to the EU in Q2 of 2021 but fell far short of that target.
Data shows that only about 15 million vaccines were shipped to the EU by the end of June as the company faced production problems.
Price Action: JNJ shares are up 0.39% at $168.63 during the market session on the last check Wednesday.