State will follow CDC and FDA and pause Johnson & Johnson vaccine
New York State is following the federal government’s lead in pausing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine “out of an abundance of caution,” said Dr. Howard Zucker, the state’s health commissioner.
The FDA and CDC recommended the vaccine the state’s pause use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after six reported cases of a rare and severe blood clot. Nearly 7 million of the J & J vaccines have been administered in the U.S.
Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, Johnson & Johnson developed a one-shot vaccine, whereas the others are two shots.
Zucker said the health and safety agencies will evaluate the next steps.
“As the CDC and FDA have said, any adverse events related to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine ‘appear to be extremely rare’ and, ‘People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.’” Zucker said in a statement.
