The Utah Department of Health is recommending vaccine providers pause administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. This pause comes after six women were diagnosed with a rare, treatable type of blood clots.
Of the more than 6.8 million people who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the U.S., there have been six reported cases of blood clots.
All six were women between 18 and 48 years old. Their symptoms occurred 6-13 days after being vaccinated.
Utah has administered almost 77,000 Johnson & Johnson vaccines. And there have been no reports of the rare blood clots in the state, according to a statement from the Utah Department of Health.
Department Executive Director Rich Saunders said the pause is “the right thing to do,” despite slowing the vaccine rollout.
The state department of health will work closely with the CDC and FDA to determine how to move forward. A CDC committee on Immunization Practices meets Wednesday to review the cases.
The FDA is recommending people should contact their doctor if they experience severe headaches, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks of receiving the J&J vaccine.
