NEW JERSEY – The New Jersey Department of Health has announced that they will pause the administration of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine across all vaccination sites in the state.
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration are evaluating data for six reported cases of women getting blood clots as a result of the vaccine. Among nearly seven million doses, six women between the ages of 18 and 48 who received the J&J vaccine had these symptoms occur 6 to 13 days after vaccination.
“In these cases, a type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis was seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets. Both the CDC and FDA have said that these adverse events are extremely rare. According to the FDA and CDC, individuals who have received the vaccine and develop abdominal pain, leg pain, shortness of breath, severe headache or other unusual symptoms within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider,” New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said in a statement.
The NJ DOH has stated that all New Jersey vaccination sites should cancel or delay appointments for the J&J vaccine until further notice.
The Ocean County Health Department released a statement notifying Ocean County residents who are scheduled to receive the J&J vaccine this week that their shots will be postponed until further notice. The OCHD also stated that they will honor those residents with appointments to receive the J&J vaccine by offering a switch to the Moderna vaccine at a later date.
Over the weekend, Ocean Health Initiatives (OHI) were giving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the Holiday City West clubhouse at 45 Cabrillo Boulevard in Berkeley.
OHI published a statement saying they will halt the administration of the J&J COVID-19 vaccines from its seven locations throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties as of April 13.
OHI stated how they will continue to follow all guidelines set by the CDC, FDA and Department of Health. At this time, OHI vaccination events will only offer the two dose Moderna vaccine for eligible individuals in the community. You can pre-register for the vaccine at ohinj.org.
To stay updated, visit nj.gov/health or ochd.org for information about scheduled appointments.
