Temporary pause of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in parts of NC

Preparing+to+inject+the+needle%2C+this+healthcare+provider+administers+care+to+a+patient.+Some+healthcare+facilities+and+providers+in+North+Carolina+have+temporarily+stopped+giving+out+the+Johnson+and+Johnson+vaccine+as+multiple+individuals+experienced+adverse+symptoms.+

sfpublicpress.org

Preparing to inject the needle, this healthcare provider administers care to a patient. Some healthcare facilities and providers in North Carolina have temporarily stopped giving out the Johnson and Johnson vaccine as multiple individuals experienced adverse symptoms.

Justine Hooker, Section Editor

On Thursday, multiple healthcare facilities in North Carolina temporarily halted the distribution of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Wake County Public Health stated that the Johnson and Johnson vaccine will be temporarily stopped due to vaccinators having unfavorable side effects to the vaccine. Some vaccination centers, including UNC Health’s Friday Center in Chapel Hill and PNC Arena in Raleigh, have halted the distribution of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Those at PNC Arena were given the Pfizer vaccine as a safety precaution or were given the opportunity to reschedule. So far, of the 2,300 people receiving the vaccine on Thursday, at least 18 individuals experienced adverse reactions, and of those, four have been taken to the hospital but are expected to be fine. Common symptoms include feeling faint and light-headed. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine requires only one shot while the other main vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, require two for full vaccination. On Wednesday in Colorado, similar events occurred where 11 people experienced adverse reactions. These recent events in Colorado and North Carolina are keeping officials aware of possible future occurrences. Wake County and North Carolina are prioritizing the health and safety of patients and are consulting with officials about next steps for the temporary pause of the vaccine at these certain locations.