The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is looking into two extreme cases that seem to have been caused by the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Previously, six blood clot cases had been reported amongst women, which led to the U.S halting its production for a few days. In recent times, two new cases of women from Oregon and Texas have suffered similar symptoms as per the reports by the authorities.
An Oregon woman in her 50’s received the J&J vaccine right before the CDC asked to put a break in its rollout. Two weeks later, the woman died after developing a serious blood clot, as reported by the Oregon Health Authority. OHA along with the CDC is looking into the incident and a direct relationship between the woman’s death and the vaccine is yet to be identified.
Another woman in Texas who got the Johnson and Johnson vaccine before it was paused is hospitalized, reporting similar symptoms experienced by others who suffered blood clots after taking the vaccine shot. According to a Texas health authority, an investigation is underway and no link between the vaccination and the severe symptoms has been discovered as yet.
It is important to note that these two cases, along with the six previous cases have occurred amongst a total population of 7 million people who received the vaccine, thus highlighting that an incident like this is unfortunate, but incredibly rare in real-time as well.
At present, the rollout of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine has been paused. The advisory committee of the CDC is preparing to meet on Friday to discuss the fate of this vaccine- to decide if the temporary ban should be removed, extended, or completely lifted. Although a decision is yet to be made, The New York Times suggests that authorities might lift the ban after analyzing that only a few cases have emerged after the six serious ones had been reported previously. Moreover, the Food and Drug Administration is contemplating putting up a warning on the Johnson and Jonson vaccine’s label to inform medical personnel and the general public about the possibility of the rare occurrence.
