CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The U.S. is recommending a “pause” of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots.
In a joint statement Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said they were investigating clots in six women that occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination. The clots were observed in the sinuses of the brain along with reduced platelet counts — making the usual treatment for blood clots, the blood thinner heparin, potentially “dangerous.”
The Corpus Christi – Nueces County Public Health District has removed the vaccine from upcoming clinics, Health Director Annette Rodriguez said, until they get further direction from the state.
“I am waiting for further guidance from the Department of State Health Services and until then, I am pausing the use of Johnson and Johnson until further notice,” said Public Health Director Annette Rodriguez. “This in no way will affect the grand opening today of our new La Palmera Mall COVID-19 vaccination clinic which will offer first and second dose Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.”
More than 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered.
In Corpus Christi, plans to put the J&J vaccine into arms were made for most every day this week.
The Health District recently received one shipment of 3,000 Johnson and Johnson vaccines and in the last week, 1,160 women were vaccinated.
According to state data, most HEB and Walgreens pharmacies in Nueces County received around 100 doses each of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine last week. Metro Ministries received 300 doses, Spohn Quick Care received 100 doses and Corpus Christi Medical Associates received 100 doses.
Experts stress that the clots are rare, but say if you have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the last two weeks and start having headaches or leg pain to see a doctor immediately.
For the latest updates on coronavirus in the Coastal Bend, click here.
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