Pennsylvania is pausing the administration of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine following the recommendation from the CDC and FDA.
The state Department of Health says there are taking these steps following this morning’s report that there have been six cases of a “severe and extremely rare” blood clot developed in patients who took the vaccine. So far, more than 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine has been administered in the country. All of the reported blood clots happened in women ages 18 to 48.
Pennsylvania designated the shots for teachers and education workers in the Commonwealth.
Butler Memorial Hospital is administering the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and is still moving forward with the vaccine clinics as planned. Chief Nursing Officer at Butler Health System Karen Allen weighed in on how the news will impact the vaccine roll out locally.
“It is difficult to predict human behavior related to Covid and vaccines. I expect it will be a mixed reaction. Some will change their appointment to BMH and Clarion to receive the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine. Some will believe vaccines have not been vetted well enough and cancel their appointment,” Allen said in a statement to our newsroom.
BHS spokeswoman Jana Panther also said that it’s unclear how this decision will impact vaccine volume to the health system.
Our newsroom also spoke with Butler native and infectious disease specialist Dr. Amesh Adalja who said that he still feels confident in the safety of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
“I would take the vaccine if it was presented to me,” Adalja said. “This doesn’t shake my confidence in the vaccine at all.”
“Almost everyone who got the Johnson and Johnson has nothing to fear from this vaccine. This is a very rare occurrence. It doesn’t diminish my confidence in the vaccine,” Adalja.
We’re continuing to follow this story and will update as more information develops.
Hear Tyler Friel’s full interview with Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Amesh Adalja:
