Feds call for a pause in J&J vaccine distribution
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Health officials for the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control are considering halting distribution of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine after six cases of a severe blood clot have developed in women between the ages of 18 and 48.
The clots are considered extremely rare. A total of 6.8 million Americans have been given the vaccine. People who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after being vaccinated are advised to contact their doctors. Of the six U.S. cases, one woman died, and another is in critical condition.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meets tomorrow (Wednesday) to consider the potential significance of the cases. Until that meeting and the completion of the FDA investigation into the clots is complete, both the FDA and the CDC are recommending a pause in the distribution of the vaccine.
