Use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine was stopped Tuesday following reports of rare and severe blood clotting in some people who received the shot. Federal health officials recommended states pause the use of the vaccine out of an abundance of caution after six women between the ages of 18 and 48 experienced clotting six to 13 days after vaccination.
To date, Northern Inyo Healthcare District has only administered the Pfizer & Moderna vaccines. Some Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine was distributed within Inyo County at varying locations.
People who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are encouraged to watch for the following signs within three weeks of vaccination:
- Severe headache,
- Abdominal pain,
- Leg pain, and
- Shortness of breath
Dr. Joy Engblade, NIHD’s Chief Medical Officer, said Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine recipients feeling these symptoms should seek immediate medical care. “In most clotting cases, the drug heparin would be used for treatment,” Dr. Engblade explained. “However, in this case, heparin may be dangerous for the patient and may require alternate treatments. Caution should be taken in each case.”