J&J raises 2021 profit view, keeps vaccine sales outlook unchanged

Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday raised its annual adjusted profit forecast, but stuck to its COVID-19 vaccine sales target of $2.5 billion as it works its way through production challenges that have resulted in delays.

The drugmaker had earlier this year faced quality problems at a Baltimore manufacturing facility that produces the single-dose vaccine, resulting in wastage of millions of doses.

The vaccine has the lowest uptake in the United States at a time when rivals Moderna Inc and Pfizer sign up supply deals for booster doses in 2022 and beyond.