Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 Vaccination Halted

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 13, 2021

Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 Vaccination Halted

Fort Hall- On April 13, 2021, the CDC and FDA have released a joint statement pausing the administration of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine. In the US 6.8 million doses of the vaccine have been administered. Currently, there have been 6 cases of adverse clotting events in individuals after receiving the vaccine called Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST). All of these occurred within the first 13 days after receiving the vaccine. The rate of 6 cases in 6 million people is within the normal rate for this condition to occur naturally.

However, out of an abundance of caution, the CDC and FDA are recommending a pause to Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccinations. The CDC and FDA are reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a group of medical and public health experts who develop recommendations for vaccine use in the US, will also review the data tomorrow, Wednesday, April 14th, to offer recommendations.

Once we have more information, we will provide an update to the Fort Hall community. IHS, Shoshone-Bannock Community Health Center (HRSA), and Tribal Health and Human Services (THHS) will halt the Johnson and Johnson vaccination until we have official confirmation of the vaccine safety and guidance.

These adverse events are quite rare, less than 1 in a million people who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

If you have received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and have any of the following symptoms within 3 weeks of vaccination, please contact your health care provider.

The symptoms would be the following: severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath.

According to Chairman Devon Boyer, “The health of our community is very important to us. Our Tribal Health centers are pausing the administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as a precaution.”

Health officials further state, “Though the risk of developing CVST is rare, medical experts are investigating this issue to ensure safety for our community.”

Fort Hall is still administrating the Moderna vaccine as another vaccine option. Please contact IHS/THHS at 208-238-5427 or 208-238-5435, or Shoshone-Bannock Community Health Center 208-478-3987 to schedule an appointment.