Johnson & Johnson has stated that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration extended the shelf life of its COVID-19 vaccine from four-and-a-half months to six months.

The decision came after the data obtained from ongoing studies indicated that the vaccine is stable at six months while refrigerated at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius or 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit. The agency stated, in a letter to the company, that it had reviewed the data provided by J&J, and on the basis of the information provided, it agrees with the extension of the vaccine’s shelf life. The extension also applies to the vaccine batches that might have expired before the letter was issued, under the condition that they were stored at the suggested temperature, said the agency… (Reuters, July 29, 2021)