Vaccine stations like this are on hold as the use of the Johnson and Johnson vaccines hahas been halted.
Due to reports of adverse reactions from the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control have recommended halting use of it.
According to a joint statement by the CDC and Food and Drug Administration, there have been six reports of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals receiving the 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),” the statement said. “All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred six to 13 days after vaccination.”
Victor McKay, director of the Buffalo Trace District Health Department said there were two clinics scheduled for this week and another scheduled for April 24 that would have administered the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Plans for those clinics are currently up in the air.
“We’ve already been in contact with the people who were scheduled for the clinic this week,” he said. “We’re either going to reschedule or offer the Moderna vaccine. I believe the CDC is supposed to meet (Wednesday) about this.”
Bracken County Health Department Director Tony Cox released a statement on the health department’s Facebook page Tuesday that said the upcoming clinics have been canceled.
“Due to the latest CDC and FDA recommendations to pause the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, our clinics scheduled for Wednesday, April 14 and Saturday, April 17 have been canceled,” he said. “Additional information will be provided if and when another clinic is scheduled.”
The Lewis County Health Department announced that a planned vaccination clinic, scheduled for Wednesday, April 14, will continue as planned. However, the Moderna vaccine will be offered in place of Johnson and Johnson.
Currently, the state is vaccinating under phase 3.
The vaccination phases are:
— Phase 1a: Long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, health care personnel
— Phase 1b: First responders, Kentuckians age >= 70, K-12 school personnel
— Phase 1c: Kentuckians age >= 60, anyone older than 16 with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highest-risk conditions for COVID-19, all essential workers
— Phase 2: Age over 40
— Phase 3: Age over 16
— Phase 4: Children under the age of 16 if the vaccine is approved for this age group (estimated to comprise 18 percent of Kentucky’s population)
