MADISON, WI (WSAU) — Wisconsin is the latest state to put a hold on the issuance of Johnson and Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine after some people reported adverse side effects after receiving the shot.
In a statement, Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake said the pause is “out of an abundance of caution. At this time, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare. Vaccine providers should not administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at this time, and should hold on to the vaccine until [a] federal review has been completed.”
Of the 6.8 million doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine that have been given nationwide, six people have reported coming down with a rare and severe type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. One of those individuals has died.
US regulators are set to meet on Wednesday to digest further information about the incidents. The CDC and FDA here in the US have both recommended pausing the distribution of the single-shot vaccine until further notice. The vaccine’s rollout in Europe has also been put on hold for now while the incidents are investigated.
The Department of Health Services made the announcement just before noon on Tuesday. Before that, some counties announced they would be canceling or rescheduling vaccine clinics featuring the Johnson and Johnson version on their own.
Tuesday’s decision has no impact on the issuance of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which do require two shots.
