Health

V.I. Dept. of Health Halts Use of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Following CDC, FDA Action

The V.I. Department of Health said late Tuesday it has taken immediate action to notify Johnson & Johnson vaccine providers to mark inventory, continue to store the vaccines as previously instructed, and to continue to monitor and document storage unit temperatures. But the department has halted use of the vaccine following CDC and FDA action prompted by six cases of severe blood clotting suspected to be caused by the J&J shot. One person has died as a result of the blood clot reaction. The halt was announced by the FDA and the CDC Tuesday morning. The agencies cited severe cases of blood clots in six women between the ages of 18 and 48, who developed the reaction after taking the vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been administered more than 6.8 million times in the U.S. The health agencies described the blood clots as rare but severe. The V.I. D.O.H. said around 481 individuals have been vaccinated with the J&J vaccine in the Virgin Islands. The health department said it us...