As of April 12, more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine have been administered in the U.S. CDC and FDA are reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the J&J vaccine. In these cases, a type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) was seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination.

As such, the OHA asked all the state’s vaccine providers to immediately pause administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. People who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks of vaccination should contact their health care provider or seek emergency care.

Pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will temporarily slow vaccination efforts in Oregon. The OHA is still optimistic there will be enough vaccine for all eligible people in Oregon to receive their first dose by early June.

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