Based on recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U of U Health is pausing distribution of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine following reports of extremely rare blood clotting concerns. Out of 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine that have been given in the U.S., six cases of the rare and severe type of blood clot developed within two weeks after vaccination. U of U Health will follow further guidance from the CDC and FDA, which are currently reviewing data and assessing the significance, recognition and treatment of the potential adverse event.
U of U Health continues to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which represents the significant majority of doses administered within our health care system. We highly recommend COVID-19 vaccination, which has proven to protect against severe illness and death from COVID-19. COVID-19 remains highly prevalent in Utah and throughout the nation.
Patients with an appointment scheduled for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can reschedule to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine through MyChart or they may call 801-587-0712 or (toll free) 844-745-9325.
The potential adverse reaction caused by the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is extremely rare, possibly occurring at a rate of one in a million. Out of an abundance of caution, patients who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and develop severe headache, abdominal pain or leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.