Utah recommends vaccine providers press pause on Johnson & Johnson
Apr 13, 2021, 8:40 AM | Updated: 3:38 pm
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Health recommends vaccine providers pause distribution of the Johnson & Johnson single dose COVID-19 vaccine, after the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control reported a few people experienced a rare type of treatable blood clot.
WATCH: FDA, CDC recommend pause for Johnson & Johnson vaccine
In a news release, UDOH officials said just six people reported experiencing blood clots out of the more than 6.8 million Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses administered to date. No Utah patients reported blood clots after receiving the vaccine.
“Even though these cases have occurred in just one of out every one-million people who have received the vaccine, and even though it will slow our efforts to vaccinate Utah residents against COVID-19, calling for this pause (on Johnson & Johnson shots) is the right thing to do,” Rich Saunders, UDOH’s executive director, said in a statement.
According to the CDC and FDA, both agencies plan to take the reports seriously and thoroughly investigate.
“Right now, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare,” the agencies said in a joint statement. “COVID-19 vaccine safety is a top priority for the federal government, and we take all reports of health problems following COVID-19 vaccination very seriously.”
How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus
COVID-19 coronavirus spreads person to person, similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
- Don’t touch your face.
- Wear a mask to protect yourself and others per CDC recommendations.
- Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet).
- If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities).
- Obtain a flu shot.
- Seek out the COVID-19 vaccine.
Local resources
Utah’s Coronavirus Information
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707
National Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization
