How to respond to questions about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine suspension
 

On April 13, 2021, the FDA and CDC recommended a pause in administering the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, sometimes referred to as the J&J or JNJ single-dose vaccine, following six reports (out of 6.8 million doses) of a very rare, but potentially dangerous, blood clotting problem. UT Health San Antonio has suspended use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as of April 13, 2021.

 

Please use these talking points if you receive questions about the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine:

 

If you receive a question from a news reporter or any type of media:

  • Provide them with UT Health San Antonio’s media team’s phone number: 210-567-2579.

If you receive a question about the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine from a patient or general public:

 

As of April 13, 2021 UT Health San Antonio is following the FDA and CDC recommendation to suspend the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

 

Why?

  • The CDC and FDA are investigating reports of rare, but potentially dangerous, blood clots that may have been related to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Additional details:

  • None of the cases of blood clots reported at this time have occurred in Texas, where more than 500,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered.
  • A total of 6.8 million doses given, the rare reports of blood clots have been by six women between the ages of 18 to 48 years old. The clots occurred six to 13 days after vaccination.

What should people who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine do?

  • Know that this type of clotting problem has a specific therapy when identified early.
  • Those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine less than two weeks ago should watch for easy bruising, gum bleeding, nose bleeds, swelling in your arms or legs, or tiny blood spots under the skin in areas away from the injection site. If you/they have one of those symptoms, you/they should see their doctor.
  • More serious vaccine adverse reactions include shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent severe abdominal pain, persistent headache or blurred vision. If you/they have any of these symptoms, you/they should go to the closest emergency department.

Which COVID-19 vaccine does UT Health San Antonio provide?

  • UT Health San Antonio is a vaccination hub providing the two-dose Pfizer vaccine. Our primary care locations may also offer the two-dose Moderna vaccine to eligible current patients during their appointment.

Where can I learn more?

  • You can learn more on our website: UTHealthCare.org/COVID