The City-Cowley County Health Department will resume the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine beginning Tuesday, according to a news release from the Health Department Monday.
The use of the vaccine was halted on April 13 due to concerns about reported adverse events and specific cases of thrombosis-thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) where blood clots developed in some people in the United States within 2 weeks of being vaccinated.
The FDA and CDC have reviewed the cases and events that occurred and have assessed the risk factors associated with receiving the vaccine.
They have also conducted extensive outreach to providers and clinicians to ensure they were made aware of the potential for these adverse events and could properly manage and recognize these symptoms due to the unique treatment required for the blood clots and low platelets levels identified as associated with TTS.
Both agencies are recommending 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.
In Cowley County over 300 doses of the vaccine had been administered prior to the pause. No adverse effects have been reported locally or in Kansas connected to the use of the vaccine.
New disclosure forms that will provide the public with details about all risks associated with receiving the vaccine will provided to anyone seeking the vaccine.
The Health Department reports that local residents continue to ask for the vaccine and that many people prefer the option of a single dose vaccine as opposed to needing two doses which is required for the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.
“It is a personal preference,” said the Public Health Officer, “I am still a strong advocate of the two dose vaccine regimens due to the increased efficacy of 94% of more. That said I fully support the decision of anyone wanting to have a single dose, one and done, option. That method is far superior to choosing to not being vaccinated at all.”
The Health Department will resume scheduling vaccinations immediately and appointments can be made by calling 620-221-1430 during normal office hours.
