States pause use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine to investigate blood clots

(WDEF) – Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Alabama are all pausing use of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine.

The federal government issued a recommendation this morning for the single-dose vaccine.

They want to investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots.

Specifically, the cases of six women who got clots after their vaccines along with reduced platelet counts. They got the clots 6-13 days after getting vaccines.

Almost 7 million doses have already been given out nationwide, mostly at mass vaccination sites.

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will still be given since they have not been linked to the blot clot issues.

Tennessee health officials expect the pause will only last a matter of days, calling it a necessary precaution.

Statement from the Hamilton County Health Dept.:

All of the Health Department drive-through PODS utilize Pfizer exclusively and will continue uninterrupted. The Health Department will follow the guidance from the Tennessee Department of Health and pause distribution of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine. We will inventory doses and continue to store them in their approved and temperature-monitored refrigerator until further guidance is provided. The Tennessee Department of Health will work with us to provide an alternative product so vaccination efforts may continue. The FDA is closely monitoring the quality and safety of the vaccinations.