FDA extends J&J vaccine’s authorized shelf life

The Food and Drug Administration July 28 extended to six months the shelf life for Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. The decision is based on data from ongoing stability assessment studies, which have demonstrated that the vaccine is stable at six months when refrigerated at temperatures of 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit (2-8 degrees Celsius). By extending the shelf life by an additional 45 days, the agency is preventing the looming expiration of millions of administered J&J doses. Vaccine providers are urged to visit J&J’s Expiry Checker website to confirm the latest expiration dates of the vaccine, including those currently available for administration throughout the U.S.