AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) - Due to recent reports of blood clots from the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, the Alabama Department of Public Health has asked all health care providers in the state to pause administering this COVID-19 vaccine.
None of the rare instances have been reported in Alabama thus far; however, until the review of the cases is complete, a pause in the use of this vaccine was recommended.
As of April 12, more than 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine had been administered in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration 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. In these cases, a type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) was seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia).
The CDC reported that all six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination. Treatment of this specific type of blood clot is different from the treatment that might typically be administered. Usually, an anticoagulant drug called heparin is used to treat blood clots. In this setting, administration of heparin may be dangerous, and alternative treatments need to be given.
On Wednesday, the CDC will meet to further review the cases and assess their potential significance. The FDA will also review that analysis and investigate these cases.
Those who have received the J&J vaccine who develop a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks after their vaccination should contact their health care provider.
