Use of J&J COVID-19 Vaccine Is Put on Hold Due to Rare Risk of Blood Clotting

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have paused the federal use of the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine due to the rare but serious risk of blood clots among those who have received the immunization. They have advised state vaccination programs to follow suit. While almost 7 million Americans have received the one-dose COVID-19 vaccine from the American pharmaceutical giant, six women between the ages of 18 and 48 developed serious blood clots within 1 week to 3 weeks of receiving the vaccination. One woman has died and one remains hospitalized. Scientists at the FDA and CDC are currently reviewing J&J’s data to discuss whether the COVID-19 vaccine should continue being administered. The AstraZeneca-Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine, which is not authorized for use in the US but is used in Europe, has caused similar side effects. Click here to read more.