US Recommends 'Pause' for J&J Vaccine

Misbar has verified the U.S. is recommending a “pause” in the administration of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots. In a joint statement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it was investigating clots in six women in the days after vaccination, combined with reduced platelet counts, according to the Associated Press. 

More than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered in the United States. CNN reports that all six cases occurred among women ages 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination. 

According to Fox News, the CDC will convene a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on April 14, 2021, to further review these cases and assess their potential significance. FDA will review that analysis as it also investigates these cases.

The FDA had issued an emergency use authorization for the single-dose J&J COVID-19 vaccine on February 27, 2021. Yesterday, before the news about the pause in the J&J vaccine was announced, a White House staff member announced 86% fewer doses of the J&J vaccine would be available in the United States next week due to contamination at a Baltimore factory. 

Officials recommend that people who were given the J&J vaccine who are experiencing severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after receiving the shot should contact their health care provider.