What the Johnson and Johnson Pause Means For America
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the public face of America’s COVID-19 response, watches as President Joe Biden commemorates the nation’s 50 millionth vaccination on February 25th, 2021. Source: Evan Vucci, AP
Last Tuesday, Johnson and Johnson vaccine injections were halted across the country after six recipients reported blood-clotting. Health officials nationwide have exaggerated the very low risk for those who already received the vaccine, emphasizing that the vaccine was taken down out of an “abundance of caution” for the safety of Americans, as stated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
As previously mentioned, there have only been reports of six people having blood clots out of the 6.8 million doses administered nationally. These cases are incredibly rare and were only reported in women ages 18-49. These women developed symptoms within one to three weeks of getting the vaccine. Federal officials have reassured that people who got the Johnson and Johnson vaccine over a month ago should not be worried. Those same officials are also saying that those who received the vaccine within the last few weeks should be alert for symptoms including severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath. Fauci reiterated that there is a less than a one in a million chance of having a blood clot reaction to this vaccine.
Additionally, the pause is meant to give time to inform healthcare providers about the treatment process for this specific type of blood clotting. The traditional course of treatment is not applicable for this type, so the FDA wants to allow ample time to convey the new course of treatment and ensure that the traditional treatment, which can actually worsen the effects of the clotting, will not be administered.
The Biden Administration has said that the halt in Johnson and Johnson vaccinations will not impact the deadline to have American adults vaccinated by the end of next month. This may not be as feasible for state governments, however.
The great benefit of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine was its accessibility. It required a less specific storing temperature and it could go unrefrigerated longer than the others. The one-shot dose was good for traveling to people’s homes if they cannot leave, administering to college students who will not be on campus for another month to receive a second dose, and people who are anxious about vaccines, including receiving shots or concerns about scheduling a second appointment in a high-demand area.
Officials are worried that this halt will cause more doubt in the vaccine process, which many American’s were concerned about to begin with. A recent NPR study indicated that before last week’s announcement, one in four American’s indicated some hesitancy about being vaccinated. States like Montana and Wyoming are already reporting decreased interest in vaccine appointments, despite having opened appointments up to the general public. Health officials from these states and the CDC indicate that the best way to move forward is increased transparency about the vaccines.
Dr. Fauci is expected to decide on when to resume Johnson and Johnson vaccines this week. In the meantime, Johnson and Johnson is facing criticism for its media response to the halt of vaccines. In a statement, the company said that blood clots have been linked to the other vaccines being distributed as well, which is not factually correct. Critics spoke to the carelessness of this statement and indicated this could cause further mistrust of vaccines amongst the American people.
UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus is still offering vaccine appointments, despite the halt in Johnson and Johnson vaccines. To schedule an appointment, visit this website.