Kentucky and Indiana health officials have all recommended pausing the use of the Janssen, more commonly known as Johnson & Johnson, COVID-19 vaccine.In a joint statement Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said they were investigating clots in six women that occurred six to 13 days after vaccination. The clots were observed in the sinuses of the brain along with reduced platelet counts — making the usual treatment for blood clots, the blood thinner heparin, potentially “dangerous.” More than 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered in the U.S., the vast majority with no or mild side effects.The other two authorized vaccines, from Moderna and Pfizer, make up the biggest share of COVID-19 shots administered in the U.S. and are not affected by the pause.Here's how state officials have reacted to pausing the vaccine, and what to do if you need to reschedule a Johnson & Johnson appointment. IN KENTUCKYKentucky will pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Gov. Andy Beshear announced.“First, we have very little J&J vaccine in Kentucky as compared to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines," the governor said.The limited amount of J&J in Kentucky has been used mainly for independent pharmacies, jails and difficult to reach populations, like the homeless community.Beshear said that the decision to pause distribution of the vaccine across the state was made "in an abundance of caution." As health officials have said they only expect the pause to last a few days to a week, Beshear said people with a J&J appointment in that timeframe need to cancel, and should be able to find another appointment within the week using Moderna or Pfizer."Those vaccines -- Pfizer and Moderna – are still entirely safe and are incredibly effective,” Beshear said. Louisville health officials said they will also pause its use. Much of it has been used on the city's homeless population. Those people will get Moderna and Pfizer for now. INDIANAThe Indiana Department of Health is asking all state vaccination clinics to pause using Johnson & Johnson vaccines, pending additional FDA approval.State health officials said all current Indianapolis Motor Speedway appointments — a mass vaccination center that relied on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine — will be kept using the two-dose Moderna vaccine.Here's what the Clark County, Indiana Health Officer, Eric Yazel, posted about the news:WLKY will continue to update this story with new information.
KENTUCKY — Kentucky and Indiana health officials have all recommended pausing the use of the Janssen, more commonly known as Johnson & Johnson, COVID-19 vaccine.
In a joint statement Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said they were investigating clots in six women that occurred six to 13 days after vaccination.
The clots were observed in the sinuses of the brain along with reduced platelet counts — making the usual treatment for blood clots, the blood thinner heparin, potentially “dangerous.”
More than 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered in the U.S., the vast majority with no or mild side effects.
The other two authorized vaccines, from Moderna and Pfizer, make up the biggest share of COVID-19 shots administered in the U.S. and are not affected by the pause.
Here's how state officials have reacted to pausing the vaccine, and what to do if you need to reschedule a Johnson & Johnson appointment.
IN KENTUCKY
Kentucky will pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Gov. Andy Beshear announced.
“First, we have very little J&J vaccine in Kentucky as compared to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines," the governor said.
The limited amount of J&J in Kentucky has been used mainly for independent pharmacies, jails and difficult to reach populations, like the homeless community.
Beshear said that the decision to pause distribution of the vaccine across the state was made "in an abundance of caution."
As health officials have said they only expect the pause to last a few days to a week, Beshear said people with a J&J appointment in that timeframe need to cancel, and should be able to find another appointment within the week using Moderna or Pfizer.
"Those vaccines -- Pfizer and Moderna – are still entirely safe and are incredibly effective,” Beshear said.
Louisville health officials said they will also pause its use. Much of it has been used on the city's homeless population. Those people will get Moderna and Pfizer for now.
INDIANA
The Indiana Department of Health is asking all state vaccination clinics to pause using Johnson & Johnson vaccines, pending additional FDA approval.
State health officials said all current Indianapolis Motor Speedway appointments — a mass vaccination center that relied on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine — will be kept using the two-dose Moderna vaccine.
Here's what the Clark County, Indiana Health Officer, Eric Yazel, posted about the news:
This content is imported from Facebook.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
WLKY will continue to update this story with new information.