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Coping with COVID: Johnson & Johnson vaccine concerns put dosing on hold in Kansas, Missouri

By Madison Parry

Following recommendation from the CDC and FDA, health officials in both states have announced the Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine will be put on hold. Concerns arose after reports that the vaccine causes blood clots.

Following widespread concern regarding effects of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, health officials in the U.S. including those in Kansas and Missouri have announced a pause of the vaccine’s administration.

Reports that the vaccine can and has caused blood clots led to CDC and FDA recommendation that doses be put on hold.

Health officials for Kansas and Missouri announced they would be pausing dosing of the Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine following the announcement from the CDC and FDA.

Millions of Americans have received a dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but federal health officials are investigating six cases of rare and dangerous blood clots.

“In an abundance of caution and as per federal guidelines, we are pausing vaccination with Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine until further notice in Missouri,” Dr. Randall Williams, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, said in a news release from the department. “We anticipate having more information shortly to make further decisions about overall vaccine distribution in light of this new development and will continue to update citizens who have been vaccinated with the J&J vaccine after the advisory committee meets at the federal level tomorrow.”

According to the release, a new standing order for this vaccine has been issued by the department and is effective immediately.

“People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider,” the release said. “Providers are asked to keep any on-hand J&J vaccine in the appropriate storage unit and label it ‘quarantine-do not use’ until further notice.”