FDL County Health Dept., Agnesian/SSM Health Join Johnson & Johnson Pause

The Fond du Lac County Health Department and Agnesian/SSM Health will be pausing distribution of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, while federal officials look into cases of a rare blood clot in individuals who have received that vaccine.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a joint statement Tuesday morning asking for the pause in distribution after six women developed the blood clots in the days after vaccination, in addition to reduced platelet counts.

Health Officials say these cases are extremely rare, and that the pause in distribution is being put in place “out of an abundance of caution”.

The Fond du Lac County Health Department said in a statement that they will continue to offer the Moderna & Pfizer vaccines for COVID-19, including a Moderna clinic that is scheduled for Wednesday (4/14).

Agnesian/SSM Health said in a statement that “none of our vaccine appointments currently scheduled or open for scheduling will use the Johnson & Johnson vaccine”, and that they will continue to follow recommendations from the CDC and FDA “regarding any future use of the product.”

People who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and have concerns should reach out to their health care provider.