SUNY To Find Alternative Coronavirus Vaccines For Students

NEW YORK — In the wake of the recommendation from the federal government to pause the administration of Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccines, the State University of New York announced it would be working with New York and to locate and receive alternative vaccines for its students.

Chancellor Jim Malatras said, in a statement, that all students who have appointments for the J&J vaccine should contact their campus or vaccination site because alternatives have already been found in some instances.

SUNY announced April 7 that it would be offering the one-shot J&J vaccine to its residential students prior to the end of the spring semester and that more than 18,000 of the vaccines were being distributed to 34 SUNY campuses.

The FDA and CDC announced Tuesday they were recommending a pause in the use of the vaccine because of blood-clot concerns.

Malatras said the priority will always be the health and safety of SUNY students, and he will keep the campus communities informed as more information becomes available.

He said any student who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and experiences headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks after being vaccinated should contact their campus or health provider.