MUSCATINE, Iowa - Following a thorough safety review, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have lifted the pause on the administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommends that any vaccine provider in the state who has available Johnson & Johnson vaccine resume administration, effective immediately.
The Trinity Muscatine Public Health Department will resume administering the vaccine as recommended by the CDC, FDA, and IDPH.
The pause was recommended after reports of six cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals following administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The CDC and FDA issued the following:
- Use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine should be resumed in the United States.
- The FDA and CDC have confidence that this vaccine is safe and effective in preventing COVID-19.
- The FDA has determined that the available data show that the vaccine’s known and potential benefits outweigh its known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age and older.
- At this time, the available data suggest that the chance of thrombosis-thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) occurring is very low, but the FDA and CDC will remain vigilant in continuing to investigate this risk.
- Health care providers administering the vaccine and vaccine recipients or caregivers should review the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (Vaccination Providers) external icon and Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregiversexternal icon, which have been revised to include information about the risk of this syndrome, which has occurred in a very small number of people who have received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine.
The pause was an example of the extensive safety monitoring systems working as intended in the United States. The CDC and FDA have concluded that the known and potential benefits of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine outweigh the risks. They are also confident in the methods of treating these extremely rare occurrences. We would encourage anyone with questions about the COVID-19 vaccines to speak directly to their healthcare provider.
For information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the Iowa Department of Public Health’s website at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus/Vaccine, follow Trinity Muscatine Public Health at www.muscatinecountyiowa.gov, or Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Updates and on Facebook (@TrinityMuscatinePublicHealth).
Vaccines = protecting the overall health and well-being of Muscatine County. Once you are fully vaccinated you no longer have to quarantine per the CDC guidelines. Fully-vaccinated.
Promote, protect, and prevent!
MODERNA CLINIC WEDNESDAY
A large Moderna vaccine clinic will be offered by Wester Drug (through their federal allocations) from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday (April 28) at Calvary Church. The clinic is open to anyone ages 18-years and older who would like a vaccine.
Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. Those interested can contact Wester drug for details.