The Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
The Taos Community Medical COVID Task Force is a volunteer coalition of local healthcare providers and community partners working to build collaborations to strengthen our local medical response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. In this column, local healthcare providers will be answering common questions about COVID-19 in our community. If you have a question that you would like to submit, please email it to info@taoscovidtaskforce.com. Also, please check out taoscovidtaskforce.com for the latest medical information about COVID-19 in Taos.
What is the current status of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine?
The Johnson & Johnson COVID19 vaccine is once again available for use. The distribution of this vaccine was paused by the CDC for 10 days, ending April 23, to evaluate very rare cases of a blood clotting disorder that some people have experienced after receiving this vaccine. This break in distribution and administration gave the FDA, the CDC and the medical community time to further monitor these cases and to share information about the best-practice treatments for this rare condition. The fact that this pause took place is very reassuring to us that our national vaccine safety monitoring system is working.
Should I be worried about this blood clotting disorder?
The risk of this blood clotting disorder is very rare – it happens in less than two cases for every one million vaccines given. The risk of blood clots from COVID illness is much higher than this. Also, the medical community has learned more in the past few weeks about the best treatments to use should this rare condition occur.
Who is at risk for blood clots from the J&J vaccine?
Most of the cases reported of this rare blood clotting disorder have been in women ages 18 to 49. The risk in this group is estimated to be seven cases for every one million doses given. This risk is still much lower than the risk of developing blood clots if you are infected and sick with COVID. The risk in men and women over the age of 50 is less than one case for every one million doses. Most of the reported cases have occurred one to three weeks after the vaccine was given.
If I get the J&J vaccine, what symptoms should I watch out for?
The most common symptoms associated with this blood clotting disorder are headaches that are severe and getting worse, severe abdominal pain, shortness of breath, leg swelling, and neurological symptoms such as seizures. Keep in mind that many people who get vaccinated will have mild to moderate side effects such as headache, arm pain, achiness, fevers and fatigue in the one to three days after receiving the vaccine. If you are concerned at all about the symptoms you are experiencing after getting your vaccine, please consult your primary care provider immediately.
Should I still get this vaccine?
We would highly recommend getting vaccinated against COVID if you haven’t already – we are getting close to herd immunity in Taos County and every person counts to keep our community safe! The risk of this rare clotting disorder with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is quite low, but if you are in the highest risk group (women under 50 yrs old) or are worried about it, you can get one of the other vaccines instead (Moderna or Pfizer).
Dr. Alana Benjamin is a boardcertified family physician who practices at Taos Whole Health.
Dr. Heather Marshall Vaskas, MD FACEP is an emergency medicine physician at Holy Cross Medical Center. They have both been active in the Taos Community Medical COVID Task Force since the beginning of the pandemic.