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U.S. health authorities recommended Tuesday that use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine be paused, which would allow the authorities to investigate some rare but severe cases of blood clot.
The halt was announced by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tuesday. The agencies cited severe cases of blood clots in six women between the ages of 18 and 48, who developed the blood clots after taking the vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been administered more than 6.8 million times in the U.S.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Johnson & Johnson said Tuesday it is aware of an extremely rare disorder involving people with blood clots in combination with low platelets in a small number of people who received its vaccine. The company further stated that it is working with health authorities and medical experts.
As a result of the U.S. action, J&J said it would delay the rollout of its vaccine in Europe, which was planned for later this month.
The U.S. Virgin Islands has been administering three vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. V.I. Dept. of Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion told the Consortium the department will provide an update relative to the number of doses of the J&J shot that have been administered in the territory. An update would also be provided on the territory's plan to keep pace with Governor Albert Bryan's goal of 50,000 vaccinations by July with one less vaccine option.
