Update: Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Resumes

Written By Guest User

On April 23, 2021, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met again to discuss the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine and rare reports of blood clots combined with low blood platelet counts. ACIP, which advises the CDC, voted to lift the pause on the vaccine.

J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for persons ages 18 and older. Women under 50 years old should be informed that there is a risk of blood clots with low platelet counts.

So, if you are a woman under 50 years old, how big is the risk? It still appears to be low, with 15 reports of blood clots with low platelet counts out of nearly 8 million doses of J&J vaccine administered in the U.S. (3.99 million of those doses were given to women). The risk ranges from 7 in one million for women aged 18-49 years to less than 1 in one million for men and women 50 years and older.

What should you do if you received the J&J vaccine? Seek medical care immediately if you develop any of these symptoms:

  • Severe headache (especially 6 or more days after vaccination);

  • Backache;

  • Severe stomach pain;

  • Shortness of breath;

  • Leg swelling;

  • Tiny red spots on your skin; or

  • New or easy bruising.

Experts continue to investigate this rare side effect, and Boost Oregon will update this blog as needed.

Guest User
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