PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – After the FDA and CDCs recommended a break from the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, the Pittsburgh region is already seeing the impact.
UPMC says it is currently discontinuing use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, including use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the Pittsburgh Mills Mall clinic. The clinic will still take place and UPMC says they are investigating alternative vaccines for distribution.
Allegheny Health Network also says it will pause distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but will continue to administer both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
‘I wouldn’t panic. Be calm. Seek medical attention if you develop symptoms. If they get the disease, it is treatable, ”said Dr. Imran Qadeer, Chief Medical Officer of Allegheny General Hospital.
The symptoms to look out for include headaches, abdominal pain, leg pain, and shortness of breath within three weeks.
The FDA says she and the CDC have issued a statement regarding the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Today the FDA and @RTLNews has issued a statement regarding the Johnson & Johnson #COVID-19 vaccine. We recommend a break from the use of this vaccine out of an abundance of caution.
– US FDA (@US_FDA) April 13, 2021
The FDA says that of the nearly 7 million doses of the vaccine given, six cases of a rare and serious type of blood clot have been reported after receiving the vaccine.
More than 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered in the US since 4/12. The CDC and FDA are reviewing data from 6 reported US cases of a rare and serious type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the vaccine. At the moment, these side effects seem to be extremely rare
– US FDA (@US_FDA) April 13, 2021
According to the New York Times, six women between the ages of 18 and 48 reportedly developed rare conditions involving blood clots within two weeks of vaccination. One of the women has died and a second has been hospitalized, according to the Times.
The FDA says they recommend taking a break from the vaccine while the cases can be investigated.
Until that process is complete, we recommend this break. This is important to ensure that the health care practitioner community is aware of the possibility of these side effects and can plan for the unique treatment required with this type of blood clot.
– US FDA (@US_FDA) April 13, 2021
AHN says if the FDA and CDC give Johnson & Johnson okay again, the health system will continue to use it.
Visit us via YouTube for an audio press conference at 10 a.m. EDT. We will keep the public informed as we learn more. https://t.co/fWguuQzhMR
– US FDA (@US_FDA) April 13, 2021
Stay with KDKA to learn more about this evolving story.