Providers to stop Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is instructing Wisconsin vaccine providers, to stop administering the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, because of a federal review of adverse side effects reported.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), issued a statement saying six cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot, called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, have been reported in the U.S., out of 6.8 million Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses given.

“We are pausing administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine out of an abundance of caution,” said DHS secretary- designee Karen Timberlake. “At this time, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare. Vaccine providers should not administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at this time, and should hold on to the vaccine until federal review has been completed.”

Vaccine providers should continue to hold the vaccine at proper storage and continue timely reporting of any adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS). This pause will allow the CDC to determine if there are any further cases of this clotting disorder and to provide healthcare providers with guidance on how to treat this rare condition.

“For residents who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, be in contact with your healthcare provider if you have a severe headache or new vision problems during the first two weeks after receiving the vaccine,” said Dr. Ryan Westergaard, DHS chief medical officer.

People who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should monitor for the following symptoms three weeks after their vaccination: severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath.

Wisconsin continues to have a good supply of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

“So far, there have been no reports of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with low platelets in anyone who has received one of the mRNA (Pfizer and Moderna) vaccines,” said Westergaard.