PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – After the FDA and CDC recommended a break in the use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, the Pittsburgh area is already seeing the impact.
UPMC says it is discontinuing the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine right now, including the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the Pittsburgh Mills Mall clinic. The clinic is set to take place, and UPMC says they are looking for alternative vaccines for distribution.
Allegheny Health Network also says it will discontinue Johnson & Johnson vaccine distribution, but will continue to administer both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
“I do not panic. Be calm. If you have symptoms, seek medical attention. If they develop the disease, it is treatable, “said Dr. Imran Qadeer, chief physician at Allegheny General Hospital.
Symptoms to follow include headache, abdominal pain, leg pain and difficulty breathing within three weeks.
The FDA says they and the CDC have issued a statement regarding the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Today the FDA and @CDCgov issued a statement regarding Johnson & Johnson # COVID-19 vaccine. We recommend a break from using this vaccine with plenty of caution.
– FDA SUA (@US_FDA) April 13, 2021
The FDA says that of the nearly 7 million doses of the vaccine, six rare and severe cases of blood clots have been reported after the vaccine.
As of 4/12, 6.8 m + doses of J&J vaccine have been administered in the US CDC and the FDA is examining data involving 6 cases reported in the US of a rare and severe type of blood clot in people who have received the vaccine. At this time, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare
– FDA SUA (@US_FDA) April 13, 2021
According to the New York Times, six women between the ages of 18 and 48 have developed rare disorders involving blood clots within two weeks of vaccination. One of the women died and the other was hospitalized in Nebraska, according to the Times.
The FDA says it recommends a break in vaccine use while cases can be investigated.
Until this process is complete, we recommend this break. This is important to ensure that the healthcare provider community is aware of the potential for these adverse events and can plan for the unique treatment needed with this type of blood clot.
– FDA SUA (@US_FDA) April 13, 2021
AHN says that if the FDA and CDC say ok for Johnson & Johnson again, the health care system will continue to use it.
Please join YouTube for an audio press conference at 10 a.m. EDT. We’ll update the audience as we learn more. https://t.co/fWguuQzhMR
– FDA SUA (@US_FDA) April 13, 2021
Stay tuned to KDKA for more on this developing story.