IN, KY To Pause Use Of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

According to the CDC, more than 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered in the U.S.

(undated) - Indiana and Kentucky vaccination sites are temporarily suspending the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

This comes in response to a statement which was made by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommending a pause in the use of the J&J vaccine following extremely rare blood-clotting that has affected six people in the U.S. after receiving the vaccine.

According to the CDC, more than 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered in the U.S.

The FDA along with the CDC is reviewing data involving the six reported blood clot cases. All of these cases occurred among women between the age of 18 to 48, and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 after being vaccinated.

“In these cases, a type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) was seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). Treatment of this specific type of blood clot is different from the treatment that might typically be administered. Usually, an anticoagulant drug called heparin is used to treat blood clots. In this setting, administration of heparin may be dangerous, and alternative treatments need to be given,” a statement from the CDC reads.

As of now, these cases appear to be extremely rare, according to the CDC.

“COVID-19 vaccine safety is a top priority for the federal government, and we take all reports of health problems following COVID-19 vaccination very seriously. People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.”