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Update on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine - CDC Press Release

Post Date:04/27/2021 9:33 AM

Dear COVID-19 Vaccine Providers and Partners,

After pausing the use of Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccines on April 13, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met today (April 23) for further review of data involving six reported U.S. cases (at the time) of a rare type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the vaccine.

In these cases, a blood clot in the brain formed called thrombosis. This is coupled with low blood platelets, known as thrombocytopenia. When those both occur after a vaccine it is referred to as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or TTS.

The ACIP voted today to reaffirm its recommendation of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for persons 18 years of age and older in the U.S population under the Emergency Use Authorization. ACIP recommended that the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) include a warning statement and for Johnson & Johnson to include an information sheet at vaccination that informs individuals about the increased risk of TTS. Those concerned about the increased risk may consider choosing another COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use, like the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is authorized for use again in Washington state starting April 24, 2021.

Read more about the temporary halt in administering this vaccine at www.doh.wa.gov/jjpause. This page is a good resource to share with patients and the public.

Here are a few notes for vaccine providers:

  • On April 24, you may begin using Johnson & Johnson vaccine you already have in stock.
  • Washington state should receive Johnson & Johnson vaccine again in next week’s allocation.
  • Please discard any Johnson & Johnson EUA Fact Sheets you already have printed. You will need to replace them with the new version coming soon.
  • Find more provider guidance on the Johnson & Johnson pause here.
  • Use the DOH website doh.wa.gov/jjpause as talking points to discuss the Johnson & Johnson vaccine with your patients (also available in Spanish and Russian; the Russian page will be updated next week with information on the restart).
  • You can also give your patients a flyer on it, available in English and Spanish right now. It will be available in 37 languages next week.
  • The vaccine was paused when there were 6 noted cases out of 6.8 million doses administered in the U.S. As of April 23, about 8 million doses have been administered with 15 cases noted.

Read more in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s news release on this topic.

We hope this news helps you protect more patients from COVID-19 through vaccination.

Sincerely,

COVID-19 Vaccine Program 
Prevention and Community Health Division 
Washington State Department of Health 
COVID.vaccine@doh.wa.gov

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