(Northeast Wisconsin) – Vaccinators in Northeast Wisconsin continue to have plenty of vaccine doses available to meet the need despite the recommendation to temporarily pause the use of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine.
The recommendation to pause the J&J vaccine by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) came Tuesday out of an abundance of caution. Of the 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine administered in the U.S., there have been six cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot that developed 1 to 2 weeks after the vaccine was administered. No cases have been reported in Wisconsin where 156,000 residents have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Though post-vaccination blood clots are extremely rare, it is valuable to know the symptoms. Individuals who experience a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks of receiving the J&J vaccine should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
While the J&J vaccine will not be available as health officials look further into the issue, it’s important to understand that the vast majority of the vaccine supply in the U.S. comes from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines account for approximately 23 million doses per week and Federal officials stress that there have been no significant safety concerns about either of those vaccines. You may experience some common side effects after receiving the vaccine; which is a normal sign that your body is building protection.
Collectively, local health care systems and public health departments continue to urge residents to:
- Plan to be vaccinated. Vaccination plays an extremely vital role in stopping the spread of new variants of COVID-19 that are now being seen throughout the U.S.
- Appointment availability has expanded dramatically, with new slots open on a regular basis.
- Continue to wear masks and socially distance from others outside of your household. Remember to wash your hands frequently, sanitize when possible and quarantine if exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
For additional details about the COVID vaccine, visit: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-about.htm.
