What’s happening with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Washington?
Updates on availability of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
This article was originally posted on April 20 and was updated on April 26. Further news and updates can be found at www.doh.wa.gov/jjupdate
On April 23, vaccine experts at the CDC voted to end the pause on the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine. That means we can safely begin using the J&J vaccine again in Washington state starting April 24.
We paused the use of the J&J vaccine in Washington on April 13. We made this decision after some rare but serious blood clots appeared in a few people that received the J&J vaccine. Safety is always our highest priority — especially when it comes to vaccines. Whenever a serious side effect is reported, we need to stop and investigate it. The good news is that the investigation is over, and we can now move forward with the J&J vaccine.
Right now, we know the side effect from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is extremely rare. At the time they paused the vaccine, only six out of the 6.8 million people who received it nationwide were known to have experienced the side effect. As of April 23, we know of 15 people out of about 8 million who received it. But we also know that people may be feeling cautious about the vaccine, or worried about how this pause may have impacted our state’s supply.
A trending, and sensitive, topic like this is ripe for misinformation. That’s why facts are so important. Let’s take a step back and explain what this pause –and “unpause” — means for you.
How did the pause end?
Vaccine safety experts at the CDC reviewed information on the side effect from the J&J vaccine. They determined that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh any risks, and the chance of getting this side effect is very low. So, they voted to “unpause” and continue to recommend the J&J vaccine for everyone 18 and older. Local vaccine safety experts also voted to end the pause and begin using the vaccine again in Washington.
As an added safety measure, these experts also recommended that the FDA and Johnson & Johnson share more information about this rare side effect. When going to get vaccinated, people who get the J&J vaccine will get an information sheet about the risk of the side effect.
With more information, people can make their own choices about which vaccine to get. If you are worried about the J&J side effect, consider getting the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine instead. And make sure to talk to your health care provider if you have any concerns.
What does a vaccine pause mean?
With every vaccine, public health leaders pay close attention to reports of side effects. Anything alarming requires swift action. So, the term “pause” here is literal.
Based upon the CDC and FDA’s recommendations, we paused all J&J appointments in our state between April 13 and April 23. Pausing gave us time to get additional information from medical experts and the federal government before moving forward.
What happens if I received the J&J vaccine?
The side effect is extremely rare — less than two in a million. That said, it’s OK to feel anxious about this news. For those who got the J&J vaccine more than a month ago, the risk of this complication is very low. If you received the vaccine in the last four weeks, continue to monitor your symptoms. Contact your health care provider if you develop severe headaches, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath.
Who has been affected by this and is there a cause?
The 15 patients are women between the ages of 18 and 48. They developed a type of blood clot in the brain called a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, or CVST, and low levels of blood platelets.
The exact cause of this side effect has not been determined yet. But the FDA believes it’s probably from a rare immune response to the vaccine. This is something that scientists are still investigating.
What was the impact on Washington’s vaccine supply?
We just opened eligibility to everyone 16 & older — which is exciting news. Although vaccine supply is still limited, the J&J pause had little impact on our decision to move forward with the next phase. That’s because the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines make up the majority of our current supply in Washington (about 94%).
Starting April 24, providers can go back to using any J&J doses they already have on hand. The federal government should begin to send us more doses again next week.
What else should I know?
Know that we have done the work to ensure the J&J vaccine is safe before resuming. And, we have two other vaccines in Washington that are also safe. This pause shows that our public health system is working. We will continue to monitor the safety of all three available vaccines, including J&J, and you can visit the J & J update site for the latest information.
More Information
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Check the state’s COVID-19 website for up-to-date and reliable info at coronavirus.wa.gov.
For more information about the vaccine, visit CovidVaccineWA.org. Check the vaccine locator tool to find out if it’s your turn for the vaccine and see a list of places where you can get it. The COVID-19 vaccine is provided at no cost to you.
WA Notify can alert you if you’ve been near another user who tested positive for COVID-19. Add WA Notify to your phone today: WANotify.org
Answers to your questions or concerns about COVID-19 in Washington state may be found at our website. You can also contact the Department of Health call center at 1–800–525–0127 and press # from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday — Sunday and observed state holidays. Language assistance is available.
