Johnson & Johnson will “proactively delay the rollout of our vaccine in Europe”, the pharmaceutical company revealed on Tuesday. It follows a handful of reports that link the vaccine to dangerous blood clots. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the rollout of the vaccine be freezed in the US while investigations are underway.
The FDA tweeted that it and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were reviewing “six reported US cases of a rare & severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the vaccine. Right now, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare”.
The health body added: “We are recommending a pause in the use of this vaccine out of an abundance of caution.”
The principal aim being to “ensure that the health care provider community is aware of the potential for these adverse events”.
The FDA and CDC also issued a joint statement on Tuesday advising people on the signs of blood clotting look out for.
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The statement read: “People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their healthcare provider.”
The news come amid ongoing investigations into the link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots.
Last week the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) scientific review of UK reports of extremely rare and unlikely to occur specific blood clots with lowered platelets has concluded that the evidence of a link with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca is stronger but more work is still needed.
According to MHRA, the data suggest there is a slightly higher incidence of blood clots reported in the younger adult age groups.
In light of the finding, the MHRA advises that this “evolving evidence” should be taken into account when considering the use of the vaccine.
Meanwhile, under 50s are now eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine in England.
People aged 45 or over in England will now be invited to get a Covid jab, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said.
The vaccination programme would then move on to the aged 40 or over bracket “in line with supplies”, he added.
In England, the vaccine is being offered in some hospitals and pharmacies, at local centres run by GPs and at larger vaccination centres. More centres are opening all the time.
It’s being given to:
- People aged 45 and over
- People at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
- People who live or work in care homes
- Health and social care workers
- People with a condition that puts them at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
- People with a learning disability
- People who are a main carer for someone at high risk from coronavirus.
The order in which people will be offered the vaccine is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
The NHS will let you know when it’s your turn to have the vaccine – it’s important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.