Today, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a joint statement on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine, recommending an immediate pause in the use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine. All vaccinators planning to give the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are being asked to cancel any upcoming appointments to give this vaccine and keep the vaccine in storage. The WI Department of Health Services and the South Shore COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic, which is supported by the health departments of Cudahy, Oak Creek and South Milwaukee/St. Francis are following this recommendation. COVID-19 vaccine safety is a top priority for the Health Departments, and we take all reports of health problems following any vaccination very seriously.

This pause is being recommended out of an abundance of caution. The CDC and FDA are reviewing data from six reported cases (out of 6.8 million doses given in the U.S.) of a rare and severe type of blood clot in people who had received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. This pause is intended to help the health care system to recognize and treat patients appropriately.

What if I received Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

• Anyone who has received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the last three weeks should watch for severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath. Anyone who has these symptoms should call their doctor right away and seek medical treatment. These side effects are extremely rare.

• For people who got the vaccine more than a month ago, the risk is very low at this time.

• Anyone who has been vaccinated in the last two weeks can also sign up for V-safe, a smartphone-based, post-vaccination tool from the CDC that uses text messages and web surveys to check in with people who received a COVID-19 vaccine.

What if I had an appointment scheduled to get Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
If you were scheduled to get Johnson & Johnson vaccine, it is recommended that you cancel your appointment. If you were scheduled at the South Shore COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic, you will be receiving an email or phone call to schedule an appointment for the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. If you are scheduled with a health care provider or pharmacy that has Moderna or Pfizer vaccines available, please contact them to discuss making an appointment to receive one of those vaccines. These types of side effects are not being seen in people who have gotten the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

You can visit http://bit.ly/SSVaccineClinic to make an appointment and view walk-in hours at the South Shore COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic located at 6077 S Packard Ave in Cudahy, WI. Appointments are available this week.

Download this News Release HERE. [PDF]