Statement on Pause of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

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The CDC and FDA have recommended a pause of administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after 6 reported cases of severe blood clotting and low blood platelets in individuals that had recently been vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.  The pause in vaccination signals the strength of our vaccine monitoring system and its ability to identify a small number of potential adverse effects out of more than 7,000,000 Johnson & Johnson vaccines administered.  I am continuing to monitor information that is being released, including the discussions taking place within the CDC’s Advisory Council on Immunization Practices.  While administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is currently paused, this does NOT mean individuals should stop being vaccinated.  The coronavirus continues to spread in our community and the threat of COVID-19 illness continues to be real.  All age-eligible individuals should still get vaccinated as soon as they are able with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, both of which are in good supply in our community.   We will resume use of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which has some important advantages compared to the others, when the investigation of this adverse effect allows us to do so.

- Dr. Louis Katz, Medical Director, Scott County Health Department