Statement from Tioga County Public Health regarding the J&J vaccine

The CDC and FDA have issued a statement recommending a pause in the use of the Johnson &  Johnson vaccine, out of an abundance of caution. This recommendation comes after six  reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot occurred in individuals after  receiving the J&J vaccine. All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48,  and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination. Right now, the adverse events appear to  be extremely rare. 

Both the CDC and the FDA are reviewing data involving the six reported U.S. cases to assess  their potential significance. Over 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have  already been administered in the U.S.  

New York State’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker, made a statement acknowledging  the recommendations, and that NYS will follow suit with the CDC and FDA and pause the use of  the Johnson & Johnson vaccine statewide “immediately”, until the health and safety agencies  evaluate next steps. 

In a press release, Tioga County’s Public Health Department wrote, “Anyone that already received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who experience severe headache,  abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks of getting the shot should  contact their health care provider. Tioga County Public Health will continue to monitor the  situation and will update the public as more information becomes available.”

They continued, “Tioga County Public Health encourages individuals not to hold out for a specific vaccine, but  rather seek out a site within New York State that is easy for them to access and get vaccinated  sooner rather than later.”

“We’re aware that there is a lot of fear and hesitancy around the  vaccine,” says Katie Wait, Public Health Preparedness coordinator, adding, “However; it’s better to be  vaccinated against COVID-19, than to be infected with COVID-19. The benefits far outweigh any  potential risks associated with being vaccinated. We also understand the challenges that a two  dose series poses; however, we really encourage people to go out and be vaccinated, because  some protection is better than none.”