Trenton suspended homebound program after rare reactions emerge to Johnson & Johnson vax

TRENTON » They’re hitting pause.

Mayor Reed Gusciora said Tuesday that the city’s homebound program is being suspended over concerns about the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

The CDC and U.S Food and Drug Administration issued guidance Tuesday about the drug after a handful of people developed a blood clot after receiving the vaccine.

Officials are reviewing six cases in women between 18 and 48 who developed a blood clot — known as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis — and low blood platelets levels between six and 13 days after they received the J&J vaccine.

The adverse reactions are “extremely rare,” Mayor Reed Gusicora said in a statement.

Officials cautioned those who received the vaccine to remain vigilant if they develop side effects such as abdominal pain, leg pain, shortness of breath, severe headache or other unusual symptoms within three weeks after being vaccinated.

The city has administered about 3,000 J&J doses, city officials said, during a clinic two weeks ago at Trenton High School.

More than 100 also received the single-dose vaccine Monday during the city’s kickoff of its homebound program.

The city said it hasn’t received reports of anyone Trentonians suffering adverse effects.

Vivian DeRivera was the city’s first resident who received her dose at her Mott Street home. She said she heard about the issues with the J&J vax on the news Tuesday but she said she felt “fine.”

She said she received a call from the city’s health department to ensure she was doing all right.

“When I seen it, it didn’t bother me,” DeRivera said. “It was six people in over six million. Things happen like that. Everybody is different.”

Those with questions should call the city health department at 609-815-2180.