Want A Johnson & Johnson Vaccine In Laguna Beach?

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Johnson & Johnson vaccine appointments will resume again starting Sunday, May 2, Orange County Health Care Agency reports.

The shots, on pause during an investigation of a string of blood clots, will be made available through the Othena platform and the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration both accepted an Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendations to lift the pause on the J&J COVID-19 vaccination for all adults.

According to the CDC, reports of adverse events following the use of the J&J vaccine suggest an increased risk of a rare adverse reaction called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome.

Nearly all reports of this serious condition, which involves blood clots with low platelets, have occurred in women 18 to 49 years of age, officials said.

“Community members are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible to help slow the spread of this virus,” said Dr. Clayton Chau, County Health Officer and Director of the OC Health Care Agency. “The County now offers three FDA-authorized vaccines that patients can select from when scheduling an appointment — Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson— so that individuals have a variety of options to choose from. All vaccines are proven to be highly effective at preventing hospitalization or death from COVID-19.”

In Orange County, Dr. Chau agrees with the findings of the Western States Scientific Safety Review (WSSSR) that the J&J vaccine is safe and effective and that the risk of developing the rare clotting disorder is low.

He also supports recommendations from WSSSR that clinicians have the responsibility to appropriately provide education about the FDA warning prior to vaccine administration so that patients can make informed decisions.

To register on the Othena platform and make a vaccination appointment, please visit www.Othena.com or call (714) 834-2000 for assistance.

For updated CDC and California Department of Public Health resources, please visit read www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/JJUpdate.html and www.cdph.ca.gov.

Do you feel comfortable taking the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine? Let us know in the comments.

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