SWEETWATER COUNTY — After a thorough review, the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine (Janssen) has been approved for continued use.

According to Federal Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s joint press release, “Following a thorough safety review, including two meetings of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have determined that the recommended pause regarding the use of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine in the U.S. should be lifted and use of the vaccine should resume.”

The pause was recommended after reports of six cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals following administration of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine. 

So far, there have been 15 reported cases out of 6.8 million doses given, of a rare and severe type of blood clot combined with low blood platelet levels. All of these cases were in women between the ages of 18 and 59. Symptoms to look for are: Severe headache, visual changes, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, back pain, shortness of breath, leg pain or swelling, petechiae, easy bruising or bleeding. Symptom onset is between 6 and 15 days after vaccination.

The two agencies have determined the following:

• Use of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine should be resumed in the United States. 
• The FDA and CDC have confidence that this vaccine is safe and effective in preventing COVID-19.
• The FDA has determined that the available data show that the vaccine’s known and potential benefits outweigh its known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age and older.
• At this time, the available data suggest that the chance of TTS occurring is very low, but the FDA and CDC will remain vigilant in continuing to investigate this risk.
• Health care providers administering the vaccine and vaccine recipients or caregivers should review the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (Vaccination Providers) and Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers, which have been revised to include information about the risk of this syndrome, which has occurred in a very small number of people who have received the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine.

Sweetwater County Clinics

Sweetwater County will again be offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Public health will have clinics scheduled this week on Wednesday, April 28, and Thursday, April 29, from 8:30-5. Walk-ins will be taken during those days and times or you can schedule an appointment time online at www.wyoapptportal.org.

If you walk-in without an appointment in PrepMod, we will schedule you into PrepMod when you come in. Public health also has the Pfizer vaccine.