BHSJ Community Health Agency Pauses Use of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

Tuesday April 13, 2021

All BHSJCHA clinics will use Moderna or Pfizer vaccine until otherwise directed

The Branch Hillsdale St. Joseph Community Health Agency (BHSJCHA) is pausing all use of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine. The FDA and CDC have recommended this pause, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has confirmed it.

“We are stopping all use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until we have more information and guidance,” says Health Officer Rebecca Burns, “There is no impact on use of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.”

According to a joint statement from the CDC and FDA, 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.

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. Health care providers are asked to report adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. View Site

“There are no clinics with Johnson & Johnson vaccine on our calendar this week, so none of our clinics will be canceled,” says Health Officer Rebecca Burns. Moderna and Pfizer vaccine clinics will continue as scheduled this week with the exception of the Friday, April 16 clinic at Dearth Center which is being moved to Bronson High School. Moderna and Pfizer vaccine appointments can be scheduled on the BHSJCHA site at www.bhsj.org or a list of pharmacies scheduling vaccine appointments near you can be found at vaccinefinder.org. View Site