Health care providers across the Chattanooga region are pausing use of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine after federal officials said they’re reviewing a possible link to six cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot.
“While the reports of serious adverse events after the administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are rare, six cases out of nearly 7 million doses administered [in the United States, Tennessee Department of Health] is taking necessary precautions and is coordinating with our vaccine providers that may have the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in supply to ensure those in our state who are seeking a vaccine have access to vaccines manufactured by Pfizer or Moderna,” reads a Tuesday statement from the Department of Health.
“Our vaccine supply continues to surpass demand, and we do not anticipate this shift will impact our efforts to vaccinate as many Tennesseans as possible. We continue to monitor the situation closely,” the statement reads.
Tennessee’s pause of the Johnson & Johnson vaccinations was based on new recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which are now investigating the blood clot cases in question. All six cases occurred in women between the ages of 18 and 48 within six to 13 days after receiving the shot. One of those women died, according to the Associated Press.
Georgia health officials also announced a pause and issued a similar statement.