The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have recommended a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, beginning April 13. The McLean County Health Department has confirmed that in lieu of the J&J vaccine, Pfizer will be provided for the April 15 on-campus clinic. The McLean County Health Department has e-mailed each person who signed up to explain this change.
At this time, no additional Johnson & Johnson vaccination clinics have been scheduled on campus.
As stated in a news release earlier today (April 13) by the CDC, “As of April 12, more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine have been administered in the U.S. CDC and FDA are reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the J&J vaccine.”
Individuals “who have received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider,” said Dr. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the CDC.
According to the CDC, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare, but are taken very seriously.
Per the CDC, “All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination.” Students experiencing symptoms should contact Student Health Services at 309-438-7676 or their hometown health care provider. As a reminder, Student Health Services is not open on the weekend, but a list of off-campus health care resources can be found on the Student Health Services website. Employees should contact their primary health care provider with questions or concerns.
In addition, the CDC has an app for monitoring post-vaccination side effects. You can learn more about V-safe on the CDC’s website.
