Update on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

April 13, 2021

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Use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine paused for review

Federal and state health officials recommended Tuesday that vaccine providers pause use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J or Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine.

The recommendation was made out of an abundance of caution to give the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration time to review cases of a rare but serious type of blood clot reported in six patients who received the vaccine.  

We understand this news is concerning for people who received, or plan to receive, the J&J vaccine. Here are some important points to know:

• The side effect being reported is believed to be extremely rare. More than 6.8 million doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered nationwide. Six people (fewer than 1 out of 1 million vaccinated) are known to have experienced this side effect. 
• Safety is our highest priority for all COVID-19 vaccines. This pause demonstrates our public health system’s commitment to monitoring vaccine side effects and taking action to ensure vaccines are safe.
• If you received the J&J vaccine, you do not need to take any immediate action. Contact your healthcare provider if you received your vaccine within the last few weeks and develop an unusual headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath.
• If you signed up for a J&J vaccination appointment, your appointment may be rescheduled. Kitsap Public Health District is providing Pfizer and Moderna vaccines at its clinics this week. Other providers may have Pfizer or Moderna appointments available.

Kitsap Public Health contacted all Kitsap County vaccine providers that were allocated J&J vaccine this week to share the federal guidance.

We will provide updates as they become available.

MORE INFORMATION

• CDC/FDA joint statement (español)
• FDA/CDC news conference
• Washington State Department of Health statement

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COVID-19 VACCINE RESOURCES Vaccine updates and information from the CDC Vaccine updates and information for Washington state Kitsap Public Health vaccine updates and information

Questions?

• For general questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, call the state COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-525-0127 or email  covid.vaccine@doh.wa.gov
• For questions about vaccination in Kitsap County, email covidvaccine@kitsappublichealth.org