Bowling Green State University’s Chief Health Officer Ben Batey has issued the following statement:
Today, Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health advised all Ohio vaccine providers to temporarily pause using the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine. This is in response to a statement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommending a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine following extremely rare blood-clotting events in six people in the U.S. after receiving the vaccine.
Upon receiving this information, BGSU was in immediate communication with the Wood County Health Department. Following this morning’s announcement, we will be canceling our upcoming Johnson & Johnson vaccination clinics at the Perry Field House out of an abundance of caution. Pfizer and Moderna vaccination clinics are ongoing with appointments readily available in our area.
The CDC has released additional information, reporting these adverse events appear to be extremely rare. As of April 12, more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered in the U.S. The CDC and FDA are reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the J&J vaccine. Individuals who have received the J&J vaccine and develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.
Please continue to do your part in slowing the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a face covering, avoiding large crowds and getting vaccinated. While today’s announcement regarding a pause to the J & J vaccine out of an abundance of caution may cause concern for some while we learn more, it shows how thoroughly the safety profile of vaccines are studied and researched. The COVID-19 vaccines are receiving the most intense vaccine safety monitoring in U.S. history while continuing to be proven safe and effective at preventing COVID-19. We appreciate all of the ways you are keeping yourself and our community healthy and protected.
