Department of Defense Resumes Use of J&J/Janssen
COVID-19 Vaccine
On April 23, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended that use of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine (also known as the J&J vaccine) resume in the U.S. This update comes after a temporary pause went into effect due to health and safety concerns.
In response and following the publication of CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the Department of Defense (DoD) resumed its use of the J&J vaccine on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.
Why was there a temporary pause?
There is a risk of a rare adverse event called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) in people after receiving the J&J vaccine. TTS is a serious condition that involves blood clots with low platelets.
This adverse event is rare and happened in about 7 per 1 million vaccinated women between 18 and 49 years old. For women 50 years and older and men of all ages, this adverse event is even more rare.
For three weeks after receiving the vaccine, you should be on the lookout for possible symptoms of a blood clot with low platelets. These include:
- Severe or persistent headaches or blurred vision
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Leg swelling
- Persistent abdominal pain
- Easy bruising or tiny blood spots under the skin beyond the injection site
You should seek medical care right away if you develop one or more of these symptoms.
There are other COVID-19 vaccine options available for those who want an alternative to the J&J vaccine. The CDC and FDA will continue to monitor the safety of all COVID-19 vaccines.
Why did the pause end?
After a review of all available safety data at this time, the CDC and FDA recommended use of the J&J vaccine resume in the U.S. The available data show that the vaccine’s known and potential benefits outweigh its known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age and older.
However, women younger than 50 years old, especially, should be aware of the rare but increased risk of this adverse event and that there are other COVID-19 vaccine options available. This risk hasn’t been linked to the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
What does this mean for you?
You should get vaccinated. As of April 19, all eligible and authorized TRICARE beneficiaries and DoD individuals can make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at any military hospital, clinic, or DoD vaccination site. You can also get the COVID-19 vaccine through:
If you have concerns about receiving the J&J vaccine, talk to your health care provider or the immunization expert at a DoD vaccination site. DoD vaccination sites are also offering an alternate FDA-EUA approved COVID-19 vaccine if you would prefer to receive Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna. The CDC and FDA will continue to monitor the safety of all COVID-19 vaccines.
Remember, the J&J vaccine requires just one dose. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine requires two doses given 21 days apart. The Moderna vaccine requires two doses given 28 days apart.
Keep doing your part!
Remember, you play a key role in slowing the spread of the virus. Get the vaccine and encourage your family and friends to do the same. Once you’re fully vaccinated for COVID-19, follow CDC guidance on what you can start to do.
Learn more by talking with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist, or visit the CDC website.
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