Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Information

We want to follow up with all patients who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine via Central Ohio Primary Care.

As you may know, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have recommended a pause in the distribution of all J&J vaccines due to safety concerns.

The safety concerns that prompted the call for this pause are related to a rare and severe blood clotting condition seen mostly in younger women called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). This problem is seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia).

As of April 12th, more than 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered in the U.S., and the CDC and FDA are reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases of CVST in combination with thrombocytopenia. All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18-48, and symptoms occurred 6-13 days after vaccination.

Right now, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare. People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within 3 weeks after vaccination should immediately contact their health care provider.

COVID-19 vaccine safety is a top priority of the CDC and FDA and all vaccine providers. This pause in the J&J vaccine is important to ensure that the health care provider community is aware of the potential for these adverse events and can plan for proper recognition and management due to the unique treatment of this type of blood clot.

We will continue to update you with pertinent information as it is provided by the CDC and FDA.