On Mar. 2, 2021, Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to equip two Merck facilities to the standards necessary to produce the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and is asking the Department of Defense to supply logistical support to Johnson & Johnson. Biden also said Johnson & Johnson will now be operating its vaccine facilities around the clock.

Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, also announced today that the federal government was increasing states’ vaccine supply next week to 15.2 million doses per week, up from 14.5 million this week. Of shots distributed this week, 2.8 million are the J&J vaccine.

Biden also announced a new initiative that he said would help more students return to in-person learning by the end of his first 100 days in office. He said the federal pharmacy program will now be prioritizing childcare workers and educators as essential workers, and all will be able to get at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the month.