US to resume using Johnson and Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine
- 3 years ago
WASHINGTON: The United States can immediately resume use of Johnson and Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine, top health regulators said on Friday (Apr 23), ending a 10-day pause to investigate the vaccine's link to extremely rare but potentially deadly blood clots.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration said in a joint statement that they would warn of the risk of a potentially fatal syndrome involving severe blood clots and low platelets in a fact sheet given to recipients.
Top US FDA officials said the decision was effective immediately, clearing the way for shots in arms as early as Saturday.
"We are no longer recommending a pause in the use of this vaccine," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told a news briefing. "Based on the in-depth analysis, there is likely an association but the risk is very low."
The agencies made the decision following a meeting by outside advisers to the CDC who recommended that the vaccine pause be ended. The agencies had been investigating the risks of the vaccine.
Earlier on Friday, the CDC panel voted 10 to four that the Johnson and Johnson's vaccine be used as recommended in people 18 years of age and older, the parameters of its current FDA authorisation.
"The committee's recommendation is an essential step toward continuing urgently needed vaccinations in a safe way for millions of people in the US," Johnson and Johnson's Chief Scientific Officer Paul Stoffels said in a statement.
Source: CNA
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