Next steps for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after CDC and FDA recommend halting use

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was flagged on Tuesday for causing rare and severe blood clots. Now, the FDA and CDC recommend pausing distribution.

After the discussion of safety, many wonder what the next steps are for this vaccine.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet to discuss these rare side effects and the plan moving forward on Wednesday.

Adam Montella, Sr. is the Vice President for Planning and Analysis, The Olson Group, Ltd. “The top of the brain has three layers of protection. And in that one layer controls the drainage of the face in the brain,” Montella said.

But for six U.S. women, aged 18-48, blood clots cut off the necessary blood flow.

“The symptoms are kind of similar to a stroke – headache, blurred vision, slurred or confused speech, and numbness or weakness on the affected side of the body,” said Montella.

Other side effects include shortness of breath, leg and abdominal pain. These symptoms appeared one to three weeks after the women received the Jonhson & Johnson vaccine.

Doctors say the odds that this happens to you are very low. Dr. Anne Schuchat is the Principal Deputy Director for the CDC.

“There have been six reports of a severe stroke-like illness linked to low platelet counts. And more than 6 million doses of the J&J vaccine has been administered so far,” said Dr. Schuchat.

Dr. Michael Teng works with Molecular Medicine at University of South Florida Health.

“You have a better chance of dying from a car crash, or getting struck by lightning than you do of having this particular adverse reaction from the vaccine,” Dr. Teng said.

Still though, out of an abundance of caution, federal agencies are pressing pause on the one-and-done vaccines. However, this is just a recommendation, not a mandate.

USF Molecular expert Dr. Teng says there is a reason for that. “We’re gonna see in a few days that the risk-benefit analysis calculation is really that this vaccine is very safe,” he said. “I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.”

At this point, getting the J&J vaccine is trickier than just you agreeing to it. Major pharmacies such as Publix, CVS and Walgreens say they won’t administer the vaccine until the CDC tells them it’s safe to start again.