BILOXI, Miss. -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (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 shows that the vaccine’s benefits outweigh its risks and the chance of blood clots occurring following its administration is very low.

Eligible beneficiaries 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.

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.

Veterans, spouses, and caregivers can call 1-800-296-8872 (option 2 then option 1) to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment or self-schedule this type of appointment using the GCVHCS’ self-scheduling tool.

National COVID-19 Info

For VA-specific information: Read our coronavirus FAQs and public health response, or use our coronavirus chatbot.