Health & Fitness
Contra Costa Pauses J&J Vaccine Amid Side Effect Concerns
Feds are investigating what appears to be an extremely rare but possible side effect that causes blood clots in some patients.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Contra Costa Health Services will temporarily pause the use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines in the county.
The announcement came hours after federal officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said they were reviewing six cases in which women between the ages of 18 and 48 developed a "rare and severe type of blood clot" after receiving the J&J vaccine. The clot, known as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, was seen along with low blood platelet levels, officials said.
Contra Costa Health Services said in a statement that it was not aware of any such cases occurring here.
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More than 6.8 million doses of the vaccine have been administered nationwide, and the risk of an adverse reaction is thought to be extremely rare. Federal officials recommended a pause in the administration of the J&J vaccine out of an abundance of caution.
Fortunately, J&J vaccines represent a very small portion of the COVID-19 vaccines that Contra Costa County has been allocated, according to the county health department. The county does not anticipate canceling any vaccination appointments and said patients should plan to show up as planned.
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The J&J side effects have not been observed in the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, and the county will continue to administer those, according to Contra Costa Health Services.
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet Wednesday to discuss the cases of concern, and the FDA will review the committee's analysis.
County public health officials advised anyone who recently received the J&J vaccine to contact a health care provider immediately if he or she develops symptoms that include severe headaches, severe abdominal pain, severe leg pain or shortness of breath. Minor reactions to the vaccine are possible in the first day or two after a vaccination.
Contra Costa Health Services said it will continue to update its website with more information about the situation.
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