U.S. Drugmaker Merck Enters Vaccine Race With 2 New Partnerships

Merck is joining the race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, collaborating with nonprofit organizations to create two vaccines. The company aims to leverage its Ebola vaccine technology for one of the COVID-19 vaccines. The US government, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, aims to produce 300 million vaccine doses by 2021. Experts are focusing on which vaccine projects to fund significantly.

What is Merck's plan regarding the development of a second vaccine?

What is the purpose of the partnership mentioned in the text?

What technology will the second COVID-19 vaccine utilize?

Who is the Health and Human Services Secretary mentioned in the text?

What goal has the US government set for COVID-19 vaccine doses?