Update, April 26, 2021: After a temporary pause, CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration again recommended use of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. A review of all available data shows that the J&J COVID-19 vaccine’s benefits outweigh its known and potential risks. However, women under 50 years old should be aware of the rare but increased risk of the adverse event called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, and that there are other COVID-19 vaccine options available for which this risk has not been seen. CDC and FDA will continue to monitor the safety of all COVID-19 vaccines.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Food & Drug Administration had recommended a pause in the use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine while adverse reactions to the vaccine were investigated. Six cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot and low platelets in women between the ages of 19 and 48 years old were investigated. As of April 12, more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine had been administered in the United States.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been used at mass vaccination clinics in Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties, at significantly smaller amounts than Pfizer and Moderna.
If you have received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination, contact your health care provider or seek immediate medical care. If you do not experience any symptoms, no action is necessary at this time.