Federal Panel Delays Decision on Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Pause
U.S. health officials extend the pause on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as an advisory committee requests more time to review rare blood clot cases. The group plans to reconvene within 10 days to issue a formal recommendation.
A federal advisory committee delays a decision on lifting the pause of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, requesting more time to evaluate the risks. The group declines to vote on whether to resume vaccinations, leaving the current suspension in place while they gather additional data. Officials plan to reconvene within the next 10 days to issue a formal recommendation.
The pause follows reports of a rare but severe blood clotting disorder known as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in six women between the ages of 18 and 48. These clots occur within six to thirteen days after receiving the shot and prevent blood from draining out of the brain, which sometimes causes bleeding. Out of the 7.2 million doses administered in the U.S. so far, health experts identify no preexisting risk factors in the affected patients.
Medical professionals warn that a severe headache is a common early sign of this specific clotting syndrome. The CDC anticipates that a few more cases may emerge as they continue to review records from individuals vaccinated over the past two weeks. In the meantime, the agency urges anyone who receives the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and experiences severe symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.