San Diego County Pauses Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — San Diego County will pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as federal officials investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots.

The announcement came hours after 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 single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

"More detailed information will be provided later (Tuesday) morning and (Tuesday) afternoon," county officials said on Twitter. "This development comes as the CDC and CDPH are pausing use of the (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine."

The clot, known as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, was seen along with low blood platelet levels, according to a joint statement from the CDC and FDA. The women developed the symptoms 6 to 13 days after receiving a Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet Wednesday to review the cases of concern. The FDA will review the committee's analysis as it also investigates the cases.

"Until that process is complete, we are recommending a pause in the use of this vaccine out of an abundance of caution," federal officials said. "This is important, in part, to ensure that the health care provider community is aware of the potential for these adverse events and can plan for proper recognition and management due to the unique treatment required with this type of blood clot."

As of Monday, more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered in the country, according to the CDC.