Director's Suite--Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine cleared for use

UPDATE:

VA will resume offering the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 18 years and older, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance, following a 10-day pause recommended by the CDC and FDA after a very small number of people who received the vaccine experienced rare but serious blood clots. After careful review and evaluation, the FDA and CDC have confidence that this vaccine is safe for use and effective in preventing COVID-19.

The available data show that the vaccine’s benefits outweigh its risks and the chance of blood clots occurring following its administration is very low. Anyone who is offered the J&J vaccine from VA will receive information about the potential risks and benefits of the vaccine, including the rare risk of blood clots and will be made aware of alternative vaccine options.

VA North Texas Health Care System strongly recommends and encourages you to receive your COVID-19 vaccine. We are now offering COVID-19 vaccinations to all Veterans, caregivers, spouses and CHAMPVA beneficiaries under the SAVE LIVES Act.

 Please visit www.va.gov/covid-19-vaccine and select “sign up to get a COVID-19 vaccine” to self-register as a spouse, caregiver or Veteran. Your local VA facility will then contact you to schedule a vaccine appointment. You may receive an invite by phone, email, or text message. 

 After completing the self-registration online, you may also call to schedule a vaccine appointment. For Dallas call 214-857-4791, for Bonham call 214-857-4719, and for Fort Worth call 817-730-0000.

The primary goal of COVID-19 vaccination is to protect those we serve from COVID-19, and VA’s priority remains the safety of all those receiving vaccine from VA, including Veterans, their spouses, caregivers, employees and federal partners.