MANA, CDC Pause Use of the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

Covid-19 vaccine

On April 12, 2021, in accordance with the CDC and Arkansas Department of Health, MANA is immediately pausing use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine due to reported cases of a very rare severe blood clot disorder that develops about two weeks after vaccination.

According to the CDC press release:

As of April 12, more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen ) vaccine have been administered in the U.S. 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 J&J vaccine. In these cases, a type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) was seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination. 

The blood clots appear to be extremely rare, with 1 case for every 1 million doses given in the U.S. We appreciate the federal government’s commitment to vaccine safety. The CDC will be meeting today to further review the cases. See the full CDC Press release

People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their doctor. See the Janssen Fact Sheet for Recipients English 3-19-2021