ABILENE, TX — The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine out of an abundance of caution.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Drug Administration are reviewing data involving six reported cases in the United States of a rare and severe blood clot in individuals after receiving the vaccine.
DSHS has notified all Texas COVID-19 providers throughout the state to discontinue the use of the J&J vaccine at this time.
The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District said there was a Johnson & Johnson pop-up vaccine clinic scheduled to take place Wednesday, but those appointments have been canceled. Health officials said the system has reached out to those patients to get them rescheduled.
Annette Lerma, director of public health said, “We will have plenty on hand of the Pfizer vaccine and we do now also have some Moderna. About 1,000 doses of the Moderna on hand as well.”
The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District administered 779 J&J doses Saturday through a drive-thru clinic and it currently has 800 remaining doses, which it will continue to hold onto until it receives guidance on whether it can continue to administer them.
Moderna and Pfizer make up many doses on hand in Texas.
Abilene Christian University Clinic was allocated 500 J&J vaccines for the week of April 12.
Wendy Kilmer with Abilene Christian University sent the following written statement:
“Students, faculty, and staff who were scheduled to receive the J&J vaccine this week have been notified by ACU’s medical clinic about the temporary pause on the administration of the J&J vaccine. Those students and faculty/staff will now be receiving the first dose of the Moderna vaccine. Alternatively, they may choose to cancel their appointment and add their name to the waitlist for the J&J vaccine once the FDA and CDC conclude their investigation and resume administration of the J&J vaccine.”
Approximately 500,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered in Texas, according to a statement from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Per federal health authorities, people who have received the J&J vaccine who develop a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.
Patients with other clinical questions should contact their health care provider.
DSHS will continue to update the public as additional information becomes available.
