ThedaCare pausing Johnson and Johnson vaccine distribution

Out of an abundance of caution, ThedaCare will pause in the use of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. There were two ThedaCare clinics scheduled this week to administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, resulting in about 250 doses, according to a ThedaCare press release.

On April 13, the Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration announced their recommendation of pausing the use of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has also instructed vaccinators to stop administering the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

The agencies are currently reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. According to the organizations, in the reported cases, a type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis was seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred six to 13 days after vaccination. The instances appear to be extremely rare, according to the press release.

ThedaCare is working with those community members and prioritizing to reschedule their vaccination appointment where they would receive the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. People who have received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.

Vaccine updates will be available on the ThedaCare Facebook page and COVID-19 website, thedacarecovid19.org.