In accordance with recommendations from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MODHSS), Jefferson County Health Department (JCHD) will pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine out of an abundance of caution. The CDC and FDA are reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type blood clot in individuals after receiving the J&J vaccine.
JCHD has halted distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine per guidelines released this morning from the MODHSS. Jefferson County Health Department provided about 500 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine at a clinic yesterday, April 12th with no serious adverse reactions reported.
Per the federal health authorities, 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 health care provider. Patients with other clinical questions should contact their health care provider.
JCHD will continue to update the public as additional information becomes available.