The Centers for Disease Control indicated in a warning on Tuesday that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine could be resumed on Wednesday. The warning came after a chaotic day when the Food and Drug Administration recommended taking a “pause” for the vaccine, causing virtually every state to discontinue use of the single dose.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet on Wednesday for an emergency session, with a vote scheduled on “updated recommendations for use” before the group is suspended at 4:30 PM ET.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Biden’s chief medical adviser, told “ CBS Evening News ” anchor Norah O’Donnell on Tuesday night that it seemed like the side effect occurred within six to 13 days, and “ so if you’ve had it a month or two ago I guess you don’t have to worry about anything. “
Fauci stressed that the odds of these adverse side effects are “less than 1 in a million,” but he said he was on the lookout for symptoms such as severe headaches, some movement difficulties – as in a neurological situation – or some chest discomfort and difficulty breathing.
Monday, more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine had been administered in the US, a small fraction of the total of 190 million COVID vaccinations given across the country – most from Pfizer and Moderna.
The White House said on Tuesday that the break “will not have a significant impact” on the nationwide vaccination plan. President Biden assured Americans that he had made sure the US had adequate doses of vaccine for all of Pfizer’s and Moderna’s American adults alone.
The handful of cases the FDA and CDC are investigating occurred in women and involved a blood clot called cerebral sinus venous thrombosis, which, according to their statement, was seen alongside low platelets. Symptoms were seen six to 13 days after vaccination in the women, who were between 18 and 48 years old.
“The treatment for this particular type of blood clot is different from the treatment that is usually administered. Usually an anti-coagulant called heparin is used to treat blood clots. In this setting, the administration of heparin can be dangerous and alternative treatments should be given,” said they.
Authorities said the “adverse events” seem extremely rare, but the pause is important so that healthcare providers can be notified of the reactions and properly recognize and manage the cases, given the unique treatment required.
Ed O’Keefe contributed to this report.