After U.S. health officials lifted an 11-day pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccinations, Gov. Jay Inslee on Saturday announced the authorization of resuming the vaccine by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Group.
The group is made up of vaccine experts from Washington, California, Oregon and Nevada, and they reviewed data and analysis, concluding it was safe and effective and provides a vital option in the ongoing effort to reduce severe COVID-19 illness as long as it is paired with patient and provider educational materials about potential risks.
“The benefits of the J & J vaccine outweigh the risks associated with it,” Inslee said. “We want to keep as many people free from COVID and out of the hospital as possible, and the J & J vaccine will help us get through this pandemic. I encourage people to get whatever vaccine is available to them. If you have questions or concerns, consult a provider to help answer questions you have.”
The Washington State Department of Health said it will immediately resume the use of the vaccine across the state.
On Friday, U.S. health officials confirmed 15 cases of rare, unusual blood clots in people nationwide who received nearly 8 million doses of the vaccine.
The cases were reported in women, mostly between the ages of 18 and 49 years old, according to officials.
Last week, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials had recommended the J & J COVID-19 vaccine be paused after six reports of people clotting.
An Oregon woman died after receiving the one-shot COVID-19 vaccine.
The OHA said the Oregon woman “developed a rare but serious blood clot within two weeks following vaccination,” The Oregonian reported.
Cox Media Group
